The Met Office says summer 2026 is the warmest ever recorded in the UK, using records that began in 1884. Multiple outlets report that provisional figures show the previous record has been overtaken, with widespread heat affecting temperatures across June, July and August.
Several reports cite the scale and persistence of the heat. The BBC says the season included five widespread heatwaves and 40 days when temperatures reached above 30C, exceeding the previous record of 34 such days. The Daily Express reports a mean average temperature for the three-month period of 16.5C. Other coverage highlights that recent rainfall does not undo the earlier extreme conditions.
The Financial Times and BBC Science place the findings in a broader context, noting that the warmest seasons in recent decades have all occurred since 2003 and linking the pattern to human-caused climate change. The Financial Times also notes that UK scientists discuss the continuing rise in temperatures.
