Key facts
- 2026 has become the first year on record to experience six separate days with temperatures reaching 35C or higher.
- The previous record for days above 35C was five, set in 1976 and 2020.
- Temperatures hit a peak of 35.2C at Coton in the Elms, Derbyshire on Friday.
- This year also marks the first time temperatures have exceeded 35C in three different calendar months.
- The record for the most days at or above 34C in a year was broken with nine days.
- Hosepipe bans are being implemented in South East England and other regions due to strained water resources.
2026 has set a new record for the most days with temperatures reaching or exceeding 35C, with six such days recorded this year. This milestone was announced by the Met Office following a peak temperature of 35.2C at Coton in the Elms, Derbyshire on Friday.
The previous record, held by 1976 and 2020, saw five days above 35C. Furthermore, 2026 is the first year to experience temperatures of 35C or higher across three different calendar months and has also broken the record for the most days at or above 34C, with nine recorded so far this summer.
The ongoing heatwave is placing significant pressure on water resources. Affinity Water has announced a hosepipe ban set to take effect on July 17, impacting approximately 1.1 million households across Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, and parts of London. This ban prohibits the use of hosepipes for activities such as watering gardens, washing vehicles, or filling pools.
Several other water companies have also implemented or requested voluntary restrictions. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber and yellow heat health alerts for large parts of England, with temperatures expected to remain well above average across much of the UK in the coming days. Met Office Science Manager Dr Amy Doherty noted the exceptional warmth observed across multiple months this year.