United Kingdom Climate – June 2026 Update
Coverage: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
This month in numbers
June 2026 was exceptionally warm for the United Kingdom, ranking as the 2nd warmest June on record in 127 years, with an average temperature of 15.6°C, a significant 2.9°C above the 1961–1990 baseline. This follows a similarly warm spring, with the April–June 2026 period also ranking as the 2nd warmest on record, at 12.2°C, 2.5°C above average. Globally, June 2026 was the 3rd warmest June on land, with an anomaly of +1°C, and the April–June period ranked as the 2nd warmest globally on land, also at +1°C above average.
What changed
The past three months have seen a pronounced warming trend across the UK, with the April–June period experiencing its 2nd warmest temperatures on record. This sustained warmth is part of a broader European pattern, as Western Europe recorded its hottest June on record. The United Kingdom's 1-month temperature anomaly of +2.40°C places it 49th out of 234 regions globally, while its 3-month anomaly of +2.52°C ranks it 59th. The UK's 12-month rolling anomaly is +1.56°C, placing it 125th globally.
What’s driving change?
The significant warmth experienced in the UK this month, and over the past quarter, is largely attributable to a combination of factors. A notable heatwave impacted the UK in June, with provisional records for daily maximum temperatures broken in England and Wales, reaching as high as 37.7°C in Lingwood, Norfolk. This heatwave also saw new records for overnight minimum temperatures, contributing to sustained heat stress. The prevailing El Niño conditions, currently in a weak phase but forecast to strengthen, are also playing a role, as El Niño events typically contribute to higher global average temperatures and can influence regional weather patterns. While the direct impacts of El Niño on the UK can be complex and lagged, it can exacerbate heatwaves and contribute to overall warming. The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) was in a negative phase in May 2026, which can be associated with blocked weather patterns, potentially contributing to the stalled high-pressure systems that lead to .
Looking ahead
With El Niño conditions forecast to persist and strengthen through the autumn and into winter, there is an increased likelihood of above-normal temperatures globally, and for the UK, El Niño typically brings cooler late winters, though strong events can reverse this trend.
Generated by Gemini from climate data and web sources
At a Glance
Temperature – Average
Climate Map – UK
Source: Met Office UK Regional & National series (Tmean, Rainfall, Sunshine, Air Frost) © Crown copyright. Anomalies are vs the 1961–1990 baseline (temperature) or 1991–2020 (rainfall, sunshine, frost). See methodology.
Year-on-Year Trends
The 4byo Climate Helix – United Kingdom
Data: Met Office UK Regional Series © Crown copyright. Baseline: first 30 yrs on record. Recent: last 10 yrs on record.
United Kingdom – Monthly Temperature – All Years
Data: Met Office UK Regional Series © Crown copyright. Baseline: first 30 yrs on record. Recent: last 10 yrs on record.
Records – United Kingdom
Met Office UK Regional Series © Crown copyright - Anomalies vs 1901-2000 mean
Shifting Seasons
Warm / cold seasonsKöppen Cfb · TemperateHow spring and autumn have shifted in United Kingdom. Spring is defined as the date monthly temperatures first rise above the long-term annual mean (8.1°C, from 1900–1929); autumn is the date they fall back below it. Temperature swings 11.0°C peak-to-peak across the year - a classic four-seasons rhythm.
Baseline vs recent monthly temperature climatology. Biggest warming: Jun (+1.9°C).
Data: Met Office UK Regional Series © Crown copyright. Baseline: first 30 yrs on record. Recent: last 10 yrs on record.
Sunshine & Frost
Sunshine – Total Hours
Frost Days – Total
Rainfall & Precipitation
Rainfall & Rain Days – Totals
Emissions & Energy
Explore
Explore Climate Data
Data Sources
Data Sources for United Kingdom
Every figure on this page is sourced from official, openly published climate datasets. Anomalies are calculated against the 1961–1990 baseline (temperature) and 1991–2020 (rainfall, sunshine, frost) - see the Methodology & Sources page for the complete dataset list and update calendar.
Country-level temperature anomaly, sourced from Copernicus ERA5 and Hadley HadCRUT5.
UK Tmean / Tmax / Tmin, rainfall, rain-days, sunshine and air-frost series. © Crown copyright.
Annual country and global CO₂ emissions, from the Global Carbon Project.
FAQs
FAQs
How is the climate in United Kingdom changing?
United Kingdom is warming in line with the rest of the world. The page above shows the latest monthly temperature anomaly versus the 1961-1990 baseline, the long-term annual trend, and the region's rank in the historical record. The headline panel also shows the long-term trend rate per decade and the warmest and coolest years on file.
Where does the climate data for United Kingdom come from?
Climate data for United Kingdom comes from the UK Met Office HadUK-Grid (temperature, rainfall, sunshine, air frost), Our World in Data, sourcing Copernicus ERA5 and HadCRUT5 (national temperature anomaly) and the Global Carbon Project via Our World in Data (CO₂ emissions), refreshed every month, when the upstream temperature and rainfall data are refreshed.
What is the climate baseline used on this page?
Anomalies on this page are calculated against the 1961-1990 climatological baseline, which is the standard reference period used by the Met Office, NOAA, IPCC and most national climate services. Some panels also show the source-native 1901-2000 (NOAA) or 1991-2020 (WMO) baselines for verification. See Methodology & Sources for the full reference.
Which areas does the United Kingdom climate data cover?
The United Kingdom climate profile covers England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and surrounding areas. Temperature, rainfall, sunshine & frost data since 1884
How often is the United Kingdom climate update refreshed?
The United Kingdom climate update is refreshed monthly, typically a few days after the previous month closes and the upstream provider (Met Office HadUK-Grid, NOAA Climate at a Glance, Copernicus ERA5 or the Global Carbon Project) publishes its update. See the Climate Rankings for cross-region comparisons.