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England endures hottest 2026 summer since 1884 amid drought

9/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Met Office reports 2026 summer average 16.5 °C, the hottest since records began in 1884.
More than 71% of England is officially in drought after an exceptionally dry summer.
RSPB calls the drought emergency ‘only going to get worse’ and urges urgent government action.
Met Office links the extreme summer to climate change, noting such events now happen one in nine years.

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Story summary

Met Office reports 2026 summer average 16.5 °C, the hottest since records began in 1884.
More than 71% of England is officially in drought after an exceptionally dry summer.
RSPB calls the drought emergency ‘only going to get worse’ and urges urgent government action.
Met Office links the extreme summer to climate change, noting such events now happen one in nine years.