This year is already shaping up to be an extraordinary one for weather records in the UK, having broken those for monthly temperature in both May and June by more than two degrees.
This is the third heatwave of 2026. At the same point last year, we had also just seen the third heatwave of 2025. However, last July, some places in the south saw four consecutive days above 30C.
So far this July we have now reached 12 days above 30C and 13 days in heatwave criteria across parts of England and Wales.
Heatwave conditions have also gripped parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland this week but the heat has been less intense and has not lasted as long.
Comparisons are being made with the historic hot summer of 1976. Whilst that year still holds the record for the longest heatwave, this year has seen higher extreme temperatures, and more “very hot days”.
The dryness as well as the heat has been particularly notable. Some places in southern England such as Wisley in Surrey have seen no rainfall in 30 days.
Most of Wales and Northern Ireland have also had rainfall deficits, although parts of western Scotland have been wetter than average. That said, nowhere in the UK is currently in drought unlike the widespread one which accompanied the heatwave in 1976.
As well as the duration and frequency of the heatwaves of 2026 so far, it has been the intensity that has been remarkable.
This year has seen more days – six – in excess of 35C, and 35C has been recorded in three consecutive months (May, June and July) for the first time.