The United Kingdom is on course to experience its warmest summer since national records began, according to provisional data from the Met Office. Between 1 June and 10 August, the average temperature across the UK reached 16.48°C – 1.88°C above the 1991–2020 baseline. To merely equal the current record of 16.12°C set in 2025, the remainder of August would need to be 0.21°C cooler than the long-term average. Any warmer reading would establish a new high, with records stretching back to 1884.
England has been particularly affected, with a mean summer temperature of 18.19°C so far – 2.46°C above normal. The rest of the month would need to be 1.41°C below the seasonal average to match the existing record, also set in 2025. Wales is similarly on track for a record-breaking summer, having recorded 16.8°C, 2.17°C above its average.
Mike Kendon, a senior scientist at the Met Office, said: "Another record-breaking summer now looks increasingly likely for the UK, following the second-warmest June, and second-warmest July on record and yet another heatwave imminent." He added: "These statistics are a clear reminder – if one were needed – of the stark changes that we are seeing in the UK’s climate."
The Met Office has issued amber heat alerts for parts of the UK, with temperatures expected to reach up to 37°C in some areas. This comes as western Europe prepares for yet another spell of extreme heat.
Heatwave grips the continent
In France, 43 departments are under an orange heat alert on Tuesday, rising to 78 on Wednesday as the heat intensifies. Forecasts predict temperatures of up to 40°C in several regions. Much of Spain is also under weather warnings, with parts of the country potentially exceeding 40°C.
The prolonged heat has placed increasing strain on emergency services across the continent. It has also exacerbated the spread of deadly wildfires and severe droughts, as seen in recent weeks. The situation is particularly acute in southern Europe, where wildfires continue to rage from Albania to Spain.
Beyond the immediate health risks, the heat is having wider consequences. In Italy, heatwaves are pushing Parmigiano cheese banks to the limit, as dairy production struggles with stressed livestock. Meanwhile, record-low river levels are disrupting transport and infrastructure. The Danube's drop has revealed WWII relics in Budapest, while Balkan rivers have hit historic lows, stranding ships and exposing riverbeds.
As the continent swelters, scientists warn that such extremes are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. The UK's likely new record is not an isolated event but part of a broader pattern affecting the whole of Europe. With the heatwave expected to persist, authorities are urging caution and preparedness.
