June is expected to be the hottest on record – even if the last few days remain cooler, the Met Office has said.
The final average temperature figure for the month is on course to beat the previous mean average record of 14.9C set in both 1940 and 1976.
The “persistent warmth for much of the month” has been “particularly unusual”, said Mike Kendon, a climate information scientist with the Met Office.
He added: “Temperatures reached 25C widely for at least a fortnight, and at times 28C to 30C – whereas we would more typically expect maximum temperatures in the high teens or low 20s at this time of year.”
The Met Office has not recorded a June this warm since it began collecting temperature data in 1884.
In addition, four of the top 10 warmest Junes have already occurred this century: 2018 (14.8C), 2003 (14.5C), 2006 (14.5C) and 2017 (14.4C).
“Meteorologically, June started with high pressure over the UK, bringing often settled and dry conditions with plenty of sunshine,” Mr Kendon said.
“Once that high pressure subsided, warm, humid air took charge over the UK, with 32.2C the highest temperature recorded so far this month and high temperatures for the vast majority of the UK.”
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On Monday, a hosepipe ban was introduced for South East Water customers in Kent and Sussex.
South West Water customers in Cornwall have been subject to a hosepipe ban since August last year which has since been extended to others in Devon.
Along with parts of East Anglia, the South West has not left drought status since the extreme 40C heat last summer.
Mr Kendon said the UK’s climate is changing.
He added: “While the UK has always had periods of warm weather, what climate change does is increase the frequency and intensity of these warm weather events, increasing the likelihood of high temperature records being broken.
“It is particularly telling that of the 12 months of the year, for UK average maximum temperature the records for the warmest months include 2019 (February), 2018 (May), 2015 (December), 2012 (March), 2011 (April), 2011 (November), 2006 (July) and now 2023 (June).
“Statistics such as this clearly tell us of the changing nature of the UK’s climate and how it is particularly affecting extremes.”
