As we move through another British summer, July has typically been a month of meteorological milestones.
From searing heatwaves to torrential downpours, the UK has experienced a wide range of weather extremes during this month over the years. Drawing on historical data, we take a closer look at the most remarkable July weather records across the UK and its nations.
Record-breaking heat
The most striking July temperature on record occurred on 19 July 2022, when Coningsby in Lincolnshire recorded a staggering 40.3°C. This remains the highest daily maximum temperature ever recorded in the UK during July with a further six station also recording termperatures of 40°C or higher. Scotland and Wales also experienced exceptional heat during this period, with Charterhall in Berwickshire reaching 34.8°C and Hawarden Airport in Clwyd peaking at 37.1°C. Northern Ireland’s highest July temperature saw Castlederg in Tyrone recording 31.3°C on 21 July 2021.
Cold snaps in summer
Despite July’s reputation for warmth, it has also delivered some surprisingly cold days. The lowest maximum temperature recorded in July was 7.5°C at Clashnoir in Banffshire on 5 July 1978, a record shared by Scotland. England’s coldest July day was 9.1°C in Okehampton, Devon, while Bwlchgwyn in Clwyd recorded 9.8°C for Wales. Northern Ireland’s coldest July maximum was 8.8°C at Divis Mountain in County Antrim.
READ MORE: Record-breaking June 2025 weather stats: A regional breakdown
Rainfall and storms
July has also brought intense rainfall events. The station with the UK's highest daily rainfall total was 279.0mm, recorded at Martinstown in Dorset on 18 July 1955. Wales saw 172.8mm at Blaenau Ffestiniog in Gwynedd on 3 July 2020, while Ardgour House in Argyll recorded 122.7mm for Scotland. Northern Ireland’s wettest July day was 87.5mm at Dungannon Park in County Tyrone.
In terms of wind, the highest maximum gust recorded in July was 76 knots (87 mph) at Needles on the Isle of Wight on 12 July 1998. Scotland’s strongest gusts reached 68 knots at Leuchars and Invergordon, while Aberdaron in Gwynedd experienced 73 knots in 2010. Northern Ireland’s peak gust was 61 knots at Foyle Bridge in County Londonderry.
Last month, England recorded its warmest June since records began. While the UK overall experienced its second warmest June, narrowly behind 2023. Minimum temperatures were particularly notable, with the UK, England, and Wales all registering their highest June minimums on record. Northern Ireland followed closely with its second highest and Scotland its fourth.
Daytime maximum temperatures were also significantly above average. England recorded its third highest June maximums, and the UK its sixth. Sunshine levels were above average for England, while rainfall was slightly above average overall, though with marked regional variation.
June 2025 was the hottest for England since records began in 1884. But how warm was it in your area?
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 1, 2025
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Met Office Climate Scientist, Dr Amy Doherty, said: "While we’ve not conducted formal climate attribution studies into June 2025’s two heatwaves, past studies have shown it is virtually certain that human influence has increased the occurrence and intensity of extreme heat events such as this.
"Numerous climate attribution studies have shown that human influence increased the chance that specific extreme heat events would occur, such as the summer of 2018 and July 2022. Our Met Office climate projections indicate that hot spells will become more frequent in our future climate, particularly over the southeast of the UK. Temperatures are projected to rise in all seasons, but the heat would be most intense in summer."
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