UK sets new June temperature record for second consecutive day with 36.7°C (98.1°F) in Somerset

The United Kingdom provisionally set a new June maximum temperature record for the second consecutive day on June 25 after 36.7°C (98.1°F) was recorded at Merryfield, Somerset, according to the UK Met Office. Wales also provisionally recorded its warmest June day, while Northern Ireland equalled its June temperature record.

The measurement remains subject to the Met Office’s verification process before becoming the official UK June maximum temperature record.

The office said multiple observing stations exceeded the previous UK June record of 35.6°C (96.1°F), established on June 28, 1976 and June 29, 1957. Merryfield’s provisional maximum of 36.7°C (98.1°F) surpassed those long-standing values as the heatwave continued across much of the country.

“We’ve seen a new provisional June maximum temperature record for a second consecutive day as the heatwave continues,” Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Greg Wolverson said.

“This has been unprecedented heat for the month of June and provides further evidence of how high temperature extremes are becoming increasingly common in the UK as a result of human-induced climate change. There’s a chance of this record being challenged again as the warmth moves more markedly east on Friday, before a gradual easing in temperatures through the weekend,” he added.

Wales also provisionally established a new June maximum temperature record after 35.9°C (96.6°F) was measured at Bute Park, Cardiff, exceeding the previous June record of 33.7°C (92.7°F) set on June 18, 2020.

In Northern Ireland, 30.8°C (87.4°F) at Castlederg provisionally equalled the region’s warmest June day, matching the value recorded on June 30, 1976.

The heat also produced provisional overnight temperature records. A minimum temperature of 23.5°C (74.3°F) at Bute Park, Cardiff, became the highest June minimum temperature recorded in the UK, while 23°C (73.4°F) recorded in Plymouth established a new June overnight minimum record for England. Both values were measured overnight from Wednesday into Thursday.

The UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office maintained Red Extreme Heat Warnings for London parts of England on Friday, warning that the prolonged spell of exceptionally hot and humid weather was likely to produce population-wide adverse health effects, significant disruption to transport, and an increased risk of failures affecting heat-sensitive infrastructure and essential services.

Temperatures could exceed 36°C (96.8°F) and locally reach 38°C (100.4°F) in eastern and southeastern England following another exceptionally warm night.

Amber Extreme Heat Warnings remained in force across additional areas of England, where daytime temperatures were expected to exceed 30°C (86.0°F) widely and locally approach 38°C (100.4°F), accompanied by unusually warm and humid nights that would limit overnight cooling.

The Met Office also issued a Yellow Thunderstorm Warning covering parts of England and Wales during Friday morning. While many areas were expected to miss the worst conditions, thunderstorms that developed could produce gusts of 50–60 mph (80–97 km/h), frequent lightning, hail, and 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 inches) of rain within an hour, bringing a risk of localized flooding, travel disruption and isolated power outages.

The Met Office said the heatwave will end more abruptly for some areas as thunderstorms develop across large parts of the UK during the coming days. Although not every location within the warning areas is expected to experience thunderstorms, storms that do form may bring gusty winds, heavy rain and lightning before cooler conditions gradually spread eastward through the weekend.

References:

¹ New UK June maximum temperature record for second consecutive day – Met Office – June 16, 2026

² UK weather warnings – MetOffice – June 25, 2026

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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