This is getting repetitive! The weather in the UK in September was the 4th warmest on record in the UK but sunshine and rainfall were completely normal. Where have I said that before? Oh right, in practically every month so far in 2026!
UK Weather Trends #42 – Summer 2026
The 2026 meteorological summer in the UK was the warmest on record, surpassing the record set last year. Unlike 2025 whose record was due to steady warmth, 2026 came from a series of heatwaves. Despite that none of the 3 months individually set new records but as a collective, they added up to a new temperature record.
It was also the 6th sunniest summer on record but whilst it was drier than usual, the dryness was not unusual. That might surprise those experiencing hosepipe bans in certain places but this was due to significant regional variations in rainfall. Consequently, whilst 2026 can be regarded as the 3rd “best summer” of all time through the lens of the 1st principal component, it still had some way to go reach the folklore of 1976 and 1995. More than that, since we have now had two “nice” summers in a row, history tells us these have never been followed by a 3rd “nice” summer so plan accordingly for 2027!
UK Weather Tracker #115 – August 2026
The weather in the UK in August was the 6th warmest and 10th sunniest on record but with normal rainfall. That might surprise those living in areas with hosepipe bans but whilst there have been significant regional variations in rainfall, collectively the regions added up to normal rainfall. The other point is that the warmest summer on record was achieved without any individual month breaking new records. Instead this came about from the combination of the 2nd warmest June & July and 6th warmest August.
UK Weather Tracker #114 – July 2026
The sunniest July on record was also the 2nd warmest and 2nd driest on record for the UK. I would like to say I was glad to escape the heat by being abroad but where I was wasn’t any cooler!
For the first time ever, the average UK wide 24 hour temperature for the January to July period reached 10 degrees Celsius which is 0.3 degrees warmer than the previous high set last year. To avoid setting a new record for annual temperatures in 2026, the next 5 months will have to average less than 10.2 Celsius which is 0.3 degrees cooler than the average of the last 5 years.
UK Weather Tracker #113 – June 2026
June 2026 was the 2nd warmest June on record across the UK. Unlike last month when I said I took the statement of it being the 3rd warmest May on record on trust, this time I can well believe it having spent the heatwave at the end of June on a canal boat on the Welsh border. The collections of fans on board certainly worked overtime!
UK Weather Trends #41 – Spring 2026
Spring 2026 in the UK was the 3rd hottest record with nearly all regions in England recording their hottest ever spring. The heatwave at the end of May (whilst I was out of the country!) set new records for maximum temperature but all 3 months of the season were well above normal. Whilst it was also the 3rd sunniest spring on record, rainfall was entirely normal for the season.
UK Weather Trends #40 – Winter 2026
Winter 2026 in the UK was warmer, wetter and darker than normal but not the extent I expected given the unrelenting days without the sun in January. So for those people in Aberdeen who went 46 days without seeing the sun, it could have been worse!
UK Weather Trends #39 – Annual Temperatures in 2025
The year 2025 was both the hottest and 2nd hottest year on record in the UK. Last year, I used a CUSUM Chart to conclude “if the calendar year average is greater than 9.48 degrees Celsius and the meteorological year average is greater than 9.33 degrees Celsius … (this will) signal an upwards trend change“. By co-incidence, the average 24-hour temperature across the UK in 2025 was 10.09 degrees Celsius for both the calendar (Jan to Dec) and the meteorological (Dec to Nov) years which is clearly higher than these thresholds. It’s only taken me four years of writing to conclude a new upward trend in UK temperatures has begun.
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UK Weather Trends #38 – Autumn 2025
The UK autumn in 2025 was warmer and wetter than usual but not exceptionally so and continues to be consistent with the step change in our autumnal climate seen 25 years ago.
UK Weather Trends #37 – Summer 2025
The 2025 meteorological summer in the UK was the warmest on record. This came less from heatwaves setting new temperate peaks and more from steady warmth throughout June, July & August. Overall it was sunnier and drier than usual in the UK but not to any significant degree. As a result, whilst the 1st principal component confirms the summer can be regarded as a “good summer”, it was a long way from being an exceptional summer like 1976 & 1995.
