The UK got its new national highest temperature record of 40.3 °C

The new all-time heat record set in the UK

And so it happened, as it was forecasted. The UK got its new national record. According to the MetOffice, the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK was 40.3 °C registered in Coningsby on July 19, 2022. And not just that – at least 34 other observation sites in the UK had temperatures higher than the previous national record of 38.7 °C in Cambridge Botanic Garden on July 25, 2019.

Temperatures of 40 °C  and more

There were at least 6 stations where a temperature of 40 °C or higher was recorded.

• 40.3 °C – Coningsby
• 40.2 °C – St James’s Park
• 40.2 °C – Heathrow
• 40.1 °C – Gringley On The Hill
• 40.1 °C – Kew Gardens
• 40.0 °C – Northolt

All records are provisional pending the official MetOffice’s confirmation, but they are very likely.

Our earlier coverage

The UK’s MetOffice issued a Red Extreme heat warning for the first time in its history. Historically, the UK will likely experience temperatures of around 40 °C.

MetOffice’s Chief Meteorologist, Paul Gundersen, said:

“Exceptional, perhaps record-breaking temperatures are likely early next week, quite widely across the red warning area on Monday, and focussed a little more east and north on Tuesday. Currently, there is a 50% chance we could see temperatures top 40 °C and 80% we will see a new maximum temperature reached.”

Is this related to climate change?

Likely so. While extreme heat events have happened during human history as a part of normal, natural climate variations, the frequency, intensity, and duration of these events have been linked to the general warming of our planet.

MetOffice states that the chances of seeing 40 °C days in the UK could be as much as ten times more likely now than in a climate unaffected by human influence.

How the UK temperature record compares to other European countries

The highest temperature ever recorded (and confirmed) in Europe is 48.0 °C, recorded in Greece (Athens) on July 10, 1977. Last year on August 11, 2021, a potentially new European heat record was set in Italy. But, the WMO still hasn’t confirmed it.

Look at the map and list the highest temperatures recorded in European countries.

Stay informed

To all of you reading this in the UK, please stay informed and follow updates on the MetOffice website. While temperatures above 39 °C and even 40 °C are not unheard of in some parts of Europe, they are very dangerous for people and the living world in general in areas which don’t experience such temperatures often.

It’s now a well-documented fact that heat waves affect not just your physical health but also your mental health and well-being.

Take care of the elderly, sick, and animals. Stay safe!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vibor Cipan

With over 15 years of professional work in technology, Vibor Cipan is a recognized leader in this field. His contributions at Microsoft, where he earned the prestigious MVP title, set the stage for his roles as CEO and Co-Founder of UX Passion, and later on, Point Jupiter, a data-informed agency. There, he led teams that shaped services for over 400 million users globally. His work spans UX design and software development, driving significant contributions in both fields.

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