LONDON: The United Kingdom (UK) experienced its hottest June on record this year, breaking temperature records for both mean and average maximum temperatures, according to the British Meteorological Office on Monday.
In a statement, the Met Office declared that the average mean temperature for June 2023 in the UK reached 15.8 degrees Celsius (60.44 degrees Fahrenheit), the highest in a series since 1884. Provisional figures indicated that the average temperature in June 2023 was 0.9 degrees higher than the previous joint record of 14.9 degrees set in June 1940 and 1976.
Mark McCarthy from the Met Office confirmed, “It’s officially the hottest June on record for the UK.” On the warmest day in June, the temperature soared to 32.2 degrees Celsius.
McCarthy also noted the remarkable and prolonged warmth experienced throughout the month, with temperatures consistently reaching the mid-20s Celsius for many areas and occasionally reaching the low 30s.
The Met Office further reported that all four countries comprising the UK—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—also recorded their respective warmest June on record.
Demand for Drinking Water in UK
As a result of record demand for drinking water, water use restrictions have been imposed in parts of southeastern England. In Scotland, concerns about low water levels in rivers and lochs have led to certain regions being placed on water scarcity alert.
Last year, England witnessed its joint hottest summer on record, tied with 2018, and the fourth hottest summer for the entire UK, leading to school closures and train cancellations. Temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius were recorded for the first time.
Paul Davies from the Met Office stated, “Alongside natural variability, the background warming of the Earth’s atmosphere due to human-induced climate change has driven up the possibility of reaching record high temperatures.”
Greenpeace UK’s head of climate, Mel Evans, attributed the falling temperature records to global warming caused by fossil fuels. Evans criticized UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his perceived inaction on climate change and stated that the heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires occurring worldwide should serve as wake-up calls.
Sunak faced additional criticism from his own advisory body on climate change, which last week accused the government of slow progress in transitioning to clean energy and warned that time was running out to meet environmental goals. Furthermore, Sunak lost his international environment minister, Zac Goldsmith, who accused him of apathy toward environmental policy.
