This summer on course to become UK’s warmest on record
Damian Carrington
The Met Office says the UK is now on course to record its hottest summer on record for average temperature, with only average conditions needed for the remainder of August to surpass the record, which was set only last year.
A new high in records that go back to 1884 is even more likely for England and Wales.
Met Office senior scientist Mike Kendon said:
Another record-breaking summer now looks increasingly likely for the UK, following the second-warmest June, and second-warmest July on record and yet another heatwave imminent.
We’ve seen temperatures hit 38C in June, 35C in early and late July, and this threshold is looking to be reached again in the next few days.
These statistics are a clear reminder – if one were needed – of the stark changes that we are seeing in the UK’s climate.
The UK’s record warmest summer on record for average maximum temperatures, set in the iconic summer of 1976, also looks under threat, with the remainder of August needing to be only 0.72C above the 1991-2020 summer average to exceed this, the Met Office said.
The climate crisis, caused by the pollution from fossil fuel burning, makes every heatwave more likely and intense.
The heatwave at the end of June was the most severe ever recorded in Europe and would not have been possible without human-caused global heating.
Key events
‘Real struggle’ to tame New Forest blaze as UK set for hottest summer on record
Sandra Laville
The battle to contain a large wildfire spreading across the New Forest will go on for several days, experts have said, as wind changes and a desiccated landscape fuel the flames.
Smoke billowed above the deserted A31 road, the main tourist route into the New Forest national park where tens of thousands of families are on holiday, late on Tuesday while a helicopter flew above the blaze. Firefighters at the scene said they were trying to contain several hotspots across the more than 247 acres of dried heathland as winds swirled over the area.
One source at the scene said: “They are really worried that as they dampen down the top, the peat underneath is still alight and spreading the fire. It is too dry, too windy, and it is a real struggle.”
July was the busiest month on record for wildfires, the National Fire Chiefs Council said on Tuesday. Its services have responded to 966 wildfires this year, including 458 in July alone.
Parts of England are bracing for a fifth heatwave of the summer this week as climate breakdown makes extreme heat, drought and wildfires more likely. The Met Office said on Tuesday that the UK was on course for its hottest summer on record by average temperature. On Monday, authorities declared almost three-quarters of England officially in drought.
The Met Office has issued a rare amber warning for extreme heat for London and parts of the South East, East Midlands, East of England, West Midlands and South Yorkshire from 9am to midnight on Thursday as temperatures are to climb to 37C or 38C in some places.
Met Office chief forecaster Chris Bulmer said: “While the peak heat will be more short-lived than recent heatwaves, temperatures widely into the mid-30s Celsius on Thursday brings the potential for impacts for some, which is why a Met Office warning has been issued.
“High pressure is now becoming dominant and temperatures will build day by day. Southerly and south-easterly winds will also tap into the hot conditions over Europe which helps develop this further notable heat in what has been a hot and dry summer so far for many in the south of the UK.”
Julie Henri, senior climate advocacy advisor at WaterAid UK, said: “This summer should be a wake-up call. Forests on fire, reservoirs running low, and now the hottest summer on record, as climate change drives more frequent and severe droughts.
“It’s a powerful reminder that water security is human security: our health, food systems, economies, and livelihoods all depend on it.
“We already have many of the solutions needed to tackle water insecurity, what’s missing is the investment to scale them.
“Around the world, communities living with chronic water stress are pioneering solutions that build resilience to drought, from solar-powered water systems that keep water flowing during dry periods in Zambia to rainwater harvesting systems that help secure supplies across South Asia.
“To withstand the impact of the climate crisis, the new UK government needs to accelerate investment in global climate adaptation and water security, to build a healthier, more resilient future for us all.”
This summer on course to become UK’s warmest on record
Damian Carrington
The Met Office says the UK is now on course to record its hottest summer on record for average temperature, with only average conditions needed for the remainder of August to surpass the record, which was set only last year.
A new high in records that go back to 1884 is even more likely for England and Wales.
Met Office senior scientist Mike Kendon said:
Another record-breaking summer now looks increasingly likely for the UK, following the second-warmest June, and second-warmest July on record and yet another heatwave imminent.
We’ve seen temperatures hit 38C in June, 35C in early and late July, and this threshold is looking to be reached again in the next few days.
These statistics are a clear reminder – if one were needed – of the stark changes that we are seeing in the UK’s climate.
The UK’s record warmest summer on record for average maximum temperatures, set in the iconic summer of 1976, also looks under threat, with the remainder of August needing to be only 0.72C above the 1991-2020 summer average to exceed this, the Met Office said.
The climate crisis, caused by the pollution from fossil fuel burning, makes every heatwave more likely and intense.
The heatwave at the end of June was the most severe ever recorded in Europe and would not have been possible without human-caused global heating.
PA Media is carrying a new update from Shantha Dickinson, who is the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service deputy chief fire officer, about the blaze near Ringwood in the New Forest.
She said that 1.6 square kilometres had been affected by the blaze and firefighters were expected to remain at the scene for several more days.
She said: “For nearly two days, our firefighters have been tackling a large wildfire in the New Forest.
“Firefighters, supported by colleagues from fire and rescue services across the country, are working tirelessly to prevent the fire from spreading further.
“Alongside the difficult terrain and hot conditions our crews are working in, we have faced a number of additional challenges, including maintaining a sufficient water supply and responding to changing wind directions.”
Here is a picture of Hollow Pond, which feels like an ironic name today. It is – or at least usually is – a boating lake about twenty minutes walk from where I live in east London.
The National Fire Chiefs Council said on Tuesday its services had responded to 966 wildfires this year, just shy of the 1,017 they attended during a record-breaking year in 2025.
In July alone, firefighters attended 458 wildfires, whilst in the first 10 days of August crews have been called out to 185 wildfires, PA Media reports.
Phil Garrigan, chairman of the council, is quoted as saying: “The combination of drought conditions and another heatwave means the risk of fires remains high, and these incidents can place huge demands on firefighters and specialist resources.
“Many wildfires are preventable so we’re asking people to be vigilant and take extra care outdoors while these conditions continue.”
Here are some pictures from today showing parched conditions in parts of England.
Forestry England has issued an update on the situation in the New Forest where firefighters are in the third day of tackling a fire.
PA Media reports the agency said it will work with local groups to support animals impacted by the fire once the incident is over and urged people to continue to avoid affected areas. A spokesperson said:
With diversions and road closures in place, we would like to remind everyone driving through the forest that animals can be close to or on the roads at any time of the day or night. Please drive with care and within the speed limit.
Our team remain on site to assist the emergency services and are continuing to cut additional fire breaks.
We understand how upsetting this incident is and the concern for wildlife. We would like to thank everyone who has kindly offered assistance and support.
When it is safe to do so our team will assess the impact of the fire and work closely with local groups and the community to support wildlife and the wider recovery of the affected area.
National Highways has said that junctions 21A to 22 of the M25 have been reopened after the carriageways were closed following a fire.
“The M25 has reopened in both directions with 40 mph speed restrictions, following instructions from fire crews. Due to the volume of traffic, it may take time for congestion to clear,” National Highways wrote in a brief statement posted on social media.
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue was called to a fire in Ventura Park, Old Parkbury Lane, Colney Street, in St Albans this morning in response to reports of a fire at a large industrial unit.
Both carriageways of the M25 between junctions 22 and 21A were subsequently closed due to what National Highways described as a risk of a “secondary explosion, along with smoke and debris affecting the carriageway”.
There were no immediate reports of any casualties or injuries, and the extent of the damage remains unclear. It is also unclear how exactly the blaze started.
We are seeing reports that thousands of homes have been affected by a disruption to water supplies in areas of London and Essex.
Sky News reports that about 10,000 homes are without water or experiencing low pressure in the Chigwell area, with issues first occurring on Saturday evening. A second water main reportedly burst on Chigwell Road in South Woodford on Sunday morning.
In an update this morning, Thames Water apologised to customers whose water supply had been affected, adding that its teams are “working tirelessly” to fix the broken pipes, citing progress with repairs on Chigwell Road and Daisy Road.
It said:
We’re sorry to customers who’s water supply is still affected this morning. Our teams are working tirelessly in extremely difficult circumstances to fix the broken pipes in the area. Unfortunately they are proving to be more difficult to repair than at first thought.
Pipe damage affected properties across E4, E10, E11, E17, E18, IG2, IG4, IG5, IG6, IG7, IG8, IG9, IG10 and RM4, with many experiencing low water pressure or no running water. Thames Water said it will be providing another update by 1pm this afternoon.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2026/aug/11/uk-europe-france-heatwave-climate-crisis-drought-amber-health-alert-latest-updates-news
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