Science

England's warmest June on record down to record-breaking heatwave

England saw its warmest June since records began in 1865 and the second warmest for the whole of the UK according to data just released by the Met Office.

Published July 1, 2026, 1:49 PM
Updated July 1, 2026, 2:07 PM167
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England's warmest June on record down to record-breaking heatwave

England saw its warmest June on record and second warmest on record for the UK according to the Met Office.

The month was hot by day and hot by night with June mean temperatures reaching 17.1C, nearly 3C above average. Frequent tropical nights, in which temperatures fall no lower than 20C, helped push mean temperatures up.

The UK's highest June temperature on record of 37.7C (99.9F) was set on Friday 26 June 2026 at Lingwood, Norfolk smashing the previous high of 35.6C (96F) set in 1957 and equalled in the infamous 1976 heatwave.

A rare red extreme heat warning was issued for parts of England and Wales. In some areas of eastern England this remained in force for an unprecedented three day-run.

Wales also saw their second warmest June on record, recording their hottest June day with 35.9C (96.6F) in Cardiff on Thursday 25 June, beating the previous mark of 33.7C (92.6F).

Northern Ireland equalled their June record with 30.8C (87.4F) in Castlederg, County Tyrone.

This slew of June records follows hot on the heels of the May heatwave in which temperatures reached 35.1C in Kew, London, external smashing the previous high of 32.8C set in 1922 and equalled in 1944.

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