The 2022 United Kingdom heatwaves were part of several heatwaves across Europe and North Africa. The United Kingdom experienced three heatwaves; the first was for three days in June, the second for three days in July, and the third for six days in August. These were periods of unusually hot weather caused by rising high pressure up from the European continent. There were also more grass fires and wildfires than average, and in August a drought was declared in many regions.
The Met Office issued its first red warning for extreme heat on 8 July, which affected all of central and southern England and was in place for 18 and 19 July.[1] On 15 July, it declared a national emergency after the red warning was put in place. On 19 July, a record temperature of 40.3 °C (104.5 °F) was recorded and verified by the Met Office in Coningsby, England, breaking the previous record set in 2019 of 38.7 °C (101.7 °F) in Cambridge, England.[2] The heatwaves caused substantial disruption to transport.
Climatologists say the extreme heat was due to climate change. In 2022, there were nearly 25,000 wildfires across the country.[3]
- ^ Press office, Met Office (15 July 2022). "UK prepares for historic hot spell". Met Office. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ Press office, Met Office (28 July 2022). "Record high temperatures verified". Met Office. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "Almost 25,000 wildfires fought in England during summer". BBC News. 30 December 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.