Provisional data shows summer on track for record heat
Provisional statistics from the Met Office suggest summer 2025 is on course to be one of the UK’s warmest since records began in 1884.
From 1 June to 17 August, the UK’s mean temperature was 16.2°C, 1.6°C above the long-term average. With two weeks of summer remaining, the final ranking could still change, but the consistency of the warmth has already marked out the season.
Met Office scientist Emily Carlisle said: “It’s looking like this summer is on track to be one of the warmest, if not ‘the’ warmest, since the series began in 1884. What’s striking is the consistency of the warmth. June and July were both well above average and even outside of heatwaves, temperatures have remained on the warmer side.
“This persistent warmth is driven by a combination of factors including dry ground from spring, high-pressure systems, and unusually warm seas around the UK. These conditions have created an environment where heat builds quickly and lingers. While we haven’t seen record-breaking highs – 35.8°C is the peak so far this year – the overall trend in consistently above-average temperatures is what matters.
“At present, the warmest UK summers on record are pretty clustered. They include 2018 as the warmest, then 2006, 2003, 2022 and 1976. With two weeks still to go, things could of course change, but the data so far strongly suggests we’re heading towards one of the UK’s hottest summers on record.”
Both maximum and minimum temperatures have been above average, with night-time minimums particularly high.
June was England’s warmest on record and the third warmest for the UK overall, with a mean temperature of 15.2°C. July continued the pattern, recording the UK’s fifth warmest July with a mean of 16.8°C.
So far, four heatwaves have been recorded this summer, though none have reached the UK’s all-time high temperature of 40.3°C, set in 2022. The highest this year has been 35.8°C in Faversham, Kent.
Rainfall has been below average, with the UK recording 72% of expected summer totals so far. England has been the driest nation, while Scotland has been the wettest. This follows England’s driest spring in over 100 years and the driest January to July since 1929.
Sunshine hours are also above average, though not yet at record levels.
The Met Office said a mix of dry spring soils, a dominant high-pressure system and warmer than usual seas around the UK have helped sustain the heat. Climate change is also contributing, with the UK warming at around 0.25°C per decade.
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