Britain is on track for its sunniest and hottest year EVER, scientists reveal

Daily Mail​

a day ago

It might feel like this summer's warm weather is never–ending.
And you'd be correct – as this year is set to be the sunniest and consistently hottest ever, data suggests.
Almost 1,200 hours of sunshine had been recorded by July this year, according to the Met Office.
That puts the UK on track to beat the previous sunshine record of 1,587 hours, which was set in 2003.
During that year – when temperatures soared to 38.5°C – sections of tarmac on the M25 melted, railway tracks buckled and the London Eye had to close because of the heat inside the pods.
Brits have also enjoyed 250 hours more sunshine this year than the last 20–year average, according to The Times.
It comes as the UK has just endured its fourth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures continuing to remain high into this weekend.
Today saw temperatures reach 30°C in London as firefighters grappled with a lack of resources amid the ongoing warm weather.
Officials have said the country is suffering from 'nationally significant' water shortages as five areas of the country remain in drought, with six in dry weather status.
Although the record temperature of 40.3°C – set in Coningsby, Lincolnshire in July 2022 – will unlikely be beaten, Britain is on track to record the consistently hottest year yet, the figures show.
So far, there have been 79 days where temperatures have exceeded 20°C – the most ever recorded for this stage of the year.
The last time it was this consistently warm was back in 1959, when there were 98 days that reached this threshold across the course of the year.
That summer was of the most memorable in British history, characterised by long periods of warm, sunny weather and high temperatures.
So far, the hottest day of this year was recorded on July 1 when temperatures reached 34.7°C in St James's Park in central London.
This weekend should be dry and sunny for most parts of the UK, with the mercury forecast to hover around 30°C on Saturday and 29°C on Sunday in south–west England.
The UK Health Security Agency said yellow heat warnings will remain in place for Yorkshire and Humber, the East and West Midlands, London and the South East, South West and east of England until 6pm on August 18.
An aerial photo showing low water levels at Broomhead Reservoir in South Yorkshire on August 12, 2025
Experts have warned that many river flows and reservoir levels continue to recede – despite some rainstorms and showers in July – and that August has started to see a return of drier conditions.
This month also marks the six consecutive month of below–average rainfall, with the rivers Wye and Ely Ouse recording their lowest ever records for July.
Hosepipe bans are still in place for all Yorkshire Water customers along with some customers of Thames Water, South East Water and Southern Water.
Earlier this week Dr Will Lang, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'As we move into the second half of August, there are indications of high pressure building and therefore largely settled conditions overall.
'Although dry weather is more likely, rain, showers or thunderstorms cannot be ruled out.'