In late June 2026, temperatures in parts of eastern England hit 37.7C (99.9F), the highest June temperature ever recorded in the UK. The heat was so intense that a rare red extreme heat warning was issued for parts of England and Wales, and for the first time that warning remained in force for three consecutive days. The month as a whole became England's warmest June since records began in 1865, with mean temperatures reaching 17.1C – nearly 3C above the average.
The heatwave was driven by a period of exceptionally hot weather that affected large parts of Europe. New June temperature records were set in Hungary, Austria, Netherlands, Switzerland and Denmark. France recorded its hottest ever day, with a 24-hour average temperature of 30C for the first time. The heat had serious human consequences: France reported around 1,000 excess deaths among people aged over 65, while Spain recorded 1,029 excess deaths attributable to the extreme heat. In the UK, the heat caused disruption to trains, schools and emergency services.
“Explains the record-breaking June 2026 UK heatwave, its causes and impacts.”
Why did this happen? The Met Office chief scientist, Prof Stephen Belcher, said human-induced climate change made events like this more likely and more intense. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and more extreme due to climate heating. Spanish forecasters noted that of the 12 June heatwaves recorded in Spain since 1975, half have occurred in the last decade. The UK had already experienced a record-breaking May heatwave, with temperatures reaching 35.1C in Kew Gardens, smashing the previous UK May record of 32.8C. Spring 2026 was the warmest on record for England and Wales, and the third-warmest for the UK as a whole.
For UK readers, the implications are direct and practical. The heat caused trains to be disrupted, schools to close, and placed extra strain on healthcare services. Overnight temperatures frequently stayed above 20C – known as tropical nights – which can be particularly dangerous for vulnerable people as the body gets no relief from the heat. The yellow heat health alert issued in the aftermath of the heatwave shows that the health risks continue even after the peak heat has passed.
Q: How hot did it get during the June 2026 heatwave? The UK's highest June temperature on record of 37.7C (99.9F) was set on 26 June 2026 at Lingwood, Norfolk, smashing the previous high of 35.6C set in 1957. Wales also recorded its hottest June day with 35.9C in Cardiff, and Northern Ireland equalled its June record with 30.8C.
Q: What does a red extreme heat warning mean? A red warning is the highest level of alert, meaning there is a risk to life. It was issued for parts of England and Wales and remained in force for three days – the first time such a warning has been in place for that long. It triggers extra help for vulnerable people and advice to avoid travel and stay indoors.
Q: Is climate change to blame for this heatwave? Scientists say human-induced climate change has made heatwaves more likely and more intense. The Met Office chief scientist noted that events like this “bring home the implications of climate change”. Records show that half of all June heatwaves in Spain since 1975 have occurred in the last decade.
What happens next? The full toll of the heatwave across Europe may take weeks or months to become clear, but it is unlikely to be as deadly as the August 2003 heatwave, which is estimated to have caused between 30,000 and 70,000 deaths. In the aftermath of that event, greater awareness led to warnings being issued to help mitigate impacts. The 2026 heatwave has already prompted a yellow heat health alert for large parts of the UK, and it is likely to intensify the debate about how the country prepares for increasingly extreme summer temperatures.