Summer 2026 matches 1976 for days above 30C as UK swelters in third heatwave

The UK has experienced severe heatwaves in recent years, but the summer of 1976 is often cited as a benchmark for extreme heat due to its prolonged period of high temperatures. Records from that year show a notable number of days with temperatures exceeding 30C, a threshold that has now been matched by the summer of 2026. This milestone highlights the ongoing trend of rising temperatures in the UK, with heatwaves becoming increasingly frequent and intense.

Summer 2026 matches 1976 for days above 30C as UK swelters in third heatwave

Temperatures on Monday peaked at 30.1C in Hurn in Dorset.