UK experienced its warmest June on record in 2023: Met Office

The British Meteorological Office reported on Monday that this year's June was the warmest on record, both in terms of average temperature and maximum temperature.

"The average mean temperature of 15.8 degrees Celsius (60.44 degrees Fahrenheit) for June 2023 in the UK is the highest in a series since 1884," the Met Office said in a statement.

According to preliminary data, the average temperature in June 2023 was 0.9 degrees higher than the previous record of 14.9 degrees set in 1940 and 1976.

Mark McCarthy of the Met Office stated that this June is the hottest ever recorded in the United Kingdom.

McCarthy stated that on the warmest day of June, the temperature reached 32.2 degrees Celsius.

"What's remarkable is the month-long warmth, with temperatures averaging in the mid-20s Celsius and occasionally reaching the low-30s," he added.

The Met Office reported that England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each experienced "their respective warmest June on record" in June.

Amidst a record demand for drinking water, parts of southeast England have imposed water use restrictions.

Concerns about the water level in its rivers and lochs have prompted Scotland to issue a water scarcity alert for certain regions.

Last year England experienced the joint hottest summer on record, tied with 2018, and the fourth hottest summer in the entire United Kingdom, resulting in school closures and train cancellations.

The first time that temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius occurred.

Paul Davies of the Met Office stated, "Along with natural variability, the background warming of the Earth's atmosphere due to human-induced climate change has increased the likelihood of record high temperatures."

Climate director at Greenpeace UK, Mel Evans, stated that temperature records were "falling like domino tiles" and blamed fossil fuels for global warming.

Evans criticized UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for being "asleep at the wheel" regarding climate change and failing to take action.

If the worldwide heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires aren't enough to shake Sunak out of his complacency, people will wonder what will.

Last week, Sunak's own advisory body on climate change criticized the government for its sluggish transition to clean energy and warned that time was running out to meet its objectives.

In addition, he lost his international environment minister, Zac Goldsmith, who accused him of "apathy" regarding environmental policy.