UK 'on course' to record warmest summer for second year in a row

Britain is "on course" to chalk up its warmest summer on record for the second year running, the UK's Met Office weather agency said Tuesday as the country braced for its fifth heatwave of the season.

"The UK is on course to record its warmest summer on record for mean temperature, with only average conditions needed for the remainder of August to surpass the record set only last year," the Met Office said in a statement.

Britain last year sweltered through its hottest summer on record with a mean temperature of 16.10C, surpassing the previous record of 15.76C set in 2018.

The current average temperature for the summer, from June 1 to August 10, was already at 16.48C, the Met 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," said Met senior scientist Mike Kendon said.

"These statistics are a clear reminder -- if one were needed -- of the stark changes that we are seeing in the UK's climate."

High temperatures and low rainfall in swathes of the country, which is built for more temperate weather, have also plunged almost three-quarters of England and all of Wales into drought.

England and Wales also experienced their driest July on record this year.

Scientists say climate change is making extreme weather events like heatwaves and droughts more intense, and resulting in records tumbling more frequently.

Heatwaves and record temperatures in May and June disrupted schools, transport and hospitals, leading to an estimated 2,877 excess deaths in England -- almost double the total of the whole of summer 2025.