England's Warmest June on Record
England experienced its warmest June on record, with the UK recording its second warmest June overall, according to the Met Office.
The month featured consistently high temperatures both during the day and at night, with mean temperatures reaching 17.16C, nearly 36C above the average. Frequent tropical nights, defined as nights where temperatures do not fall below 206C, contributed to the elevated mean temperatures.
The highest June temperature ever recorded in the UK was set on Friday, 26 June 2026, at Lingwood, Norfolk, reaching 37.76C (99.96F). This surpassed the previous record of 35.66C (966F), which had been set in 1957 and matched during the notable 1976 heatwave.
A rare red extreme heat warning was issued for parts of England and Wales, with some areas in eastern England under this warning for an unprecedented three consecutive days.
Wales also recorded its second warmest June on record, with the hottest June day reaching 35.96C (96.66F) in Cardiff on Thursday, 25 June, breaking the previous record of 33.76C (92.66F).
Northern Ireland equaled its June temperature record with 30.86C (87.46F) recorded in Castlederg, County Tyrone.
This series of June temperature records follows closely after a May heatwave, during which temperatures reached 35.16C in Kew, London, surpassing the previous high of 32.86C set in 1922 and equaled in 1944.
June Records Also Shattered Across Europe
The extreme June heatwave extended across much of Europe, with new June temperature records established in several countries, including Hungary, Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Denmark.
France experienced its hottest day on record, with nationwide average temperatures exceeding 306C over a 24-hour period for the first time. This surpassed the extreme heatwaves of August 2003 and July 2019, according to forecasters at MeteoFrance.
Another Deadly Heatwave
Emerging statistics reveal the human impact of this recent extreme heatwave.
France's national health ministry has reported approximately 1,000 excess deaths during the heatwave, many among individuals aged over 65.
Spain has recorded 1,029 excess deaths attributed to the extreme heat.
The full extent of the heatwave's impact across Europe may take weeks or months to become clear. However, it is expected to be less deadly than the August 2003 heatwave, which is estimated to have caused between 30,000 and 70,000 deaths.
Following the 2003 event, awareness of heatwave dangers increased significantly, prompting national weather forecasting agencies to issue extreme heat warnings to mitigate impacts.
Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. Spanish forecasters note that of the 12 June heatwaves recorded in Spain since 1975, half have occurred in the last decade.
- Record-breaking June temperature logged in village
- Hottest May day record broken again as temperature hits 35.16C in London
- Another UK heatwave could be on the way
