As the world’s oldest tennis tournament, Wimbledon has seen its fair share of dramatic weather over the decades.
From scorching heat to torrential rain, the British summer has tested players and fans alike. Drawing on historical data from Kew Gardens and surrounding areas, here are some of the most extreme weather records associated with the Championships.
Temperature extremes
The hottest day recorded during the Wimbledon fortnight occurred on 1 July 2015, when temperatures soared to 35.7°C at Kew Gardens. In stark contrast, the lowest minimum temperature was a chilly 4.9°C on 22 June 1999. Notably, the highest overnight minimum was 20.8°C, recorded on 27 June 1976, which may come as no surprise to those who remember the notorious summer of that year.
Conversely, the lowest maximum temperature during the tournament was just 12.0°C on 24 June 1925, a reminder that even summer in London can feel brisk.
READ MORE: How weather and climate change are shaping the future of UK sport
Rainfall records
Rain has long been a part of Wimbledon’s lore, and the wettest single day on record occurred way back on 28 June 1906, when 62.7mm of rain fell at Kew Gardens. The wettest overall championship occurred in 1927, with 83.8mm of rain recorded over 14 days at Raynes Park. These conditions would have posed significant challenges before the advent of Centre Court’s retractable roof.
40C was recorded in the UK in 2022. A new study looks at the increasing chances of this happening again.
— Met Office (@metoffice) June 24, 2025
In Climate Conversations Clare Nasir looks at the impacts of extreme heat and @WeatherAlex catches up with Dr Gillian Kay, to discuss the importance of the findings 👇
Wind and sunshine
Wind has also played a role in shaping play. The strongest gust recorded during the tournament reached 49mph on 4 July 1961 at Kew Gardens. Meanwhile, the sunniest day occurred on 29 June 1995, with 15.9 hours of sunshine, ideal conditions for uninterrupted play.
Opening day highlights
The opening days of the championships have also seen their share of weather drama. In fact, the record for highest opening day maximum temperature could be broke this year, with forecasts suggesting we'll see temperatures in the low 30s on Monday. However, so far, the warmest start to a tournament came on 25 June 2001, with a high of 29.3°C. The coldest minimum for an opening day was 5.2°C on 22 June 1903, while the lowest maximum was 12.8°C on 20 June 1977. The wettest opening day was 23 June 1969, with 13.8mm of rain falling at Wimbledon Power Station.
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As climate patterns continue to shift, the weather extremes experienced during Wimbledon may become more pronounced. Rising global temperatures are projected to lead to more frequent summer heatwaves. A recent Met Office study found the chance of exceeding 40°C in the UK has been rapidly increasing, and it is now over 20 times more likely than it was in the 1960s.
Similarly, changes in precipitation patterns may increase the likelihood of intense rainfall events, challenging even the most robust scheduling and infrastructure.
As the tournament continues to adapt to these evolving conditions, ongoing monitoring and climate resilience planning will be essential to ensure the comfort and safety of players and spectators alike.
Keep up to date with weather warnings, and you can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.