After a record-breaking spring that saw the UK bask in unusually high temperatures, June has taken a noticeably cooler turn and the Met Office has now weighed in on when the next spell of hot weather could arrive.
May was the warmest ever month recorded in the UK since 1884
Last month delivered some of the warmest conditions ever recorded in the UK, with temperatures soaring to 35.1°C at Kew Gardens in west London, the highest May temperature since records began in 1884.
Several parts of the country experienced prolonged heat, including six consecutive days above 30°C in some areas, while Cardiff’s Bute Park peaked at 32.9°C.
It wasn’t just a one-off spike. Each month of spring ranked among the warmest on record, with March placing joint tenth, April seventh, and May joint third.
Rainfall also dropped significantly, sitting 14 per cent below the long-term average, adding to the dry, sun-soaked conditions many enjoyed across the UK.
But as June begins, the weather has shifted. Cooler temperatures, alongside spells of rain and thunderstorms, have replaced the early summer heat, leaving many wondering if the sunshine has already peaked.
According to the Met Office, the answer is more measured than some recent speculation suggests.
While some forecasters have hinted at a rapid return to heatwave conditions with temperatures potentially climbing to 28°C within days, the Met Office has pushed back on those claims.
Its current outlook suggests temperatures will remain “near normal overall” for this time of year in early June, meaning a mix of mild days, cloud, and occasional rain.
A heatwave could be on the horizon late June according to the Met Office
Looking further ahead, Met Office projections indicate that late June could see a shift back towards hotter conditions, particularly in southern parts of the UK.
This warmer spell may also bring the risk of thunderstorms, a common feature during periods of rising heat and humidity.
Dr Emily Carlisle, a Met Office scientist, said the recent extremes are part of a broader trend. “This spring highlights both the natural variability of the UK’s weather and the longer-term warming we are observing,” she explained, noting that unusually high temperatures are becoming more frequent.
Climate research supports this, with scientists finding that breaking previous May temperature records such as the 32.8°C threshold is now around three times more likely due to greenhouse gas emissions. In today’s climate, these kinds of extreme heat events are no longer as rare as they once were.
For now, though, the message is clear: while the UK may have enjoyed an early taste of summer, a more changeable and typically British start to June is here, at least for the time being.