During the unprecedented hot spell, a new high daily minimum temperature record was set.
Shirburn Model Farm in Oxfordshire recorded a low of 26.8°C on 19 July 2022 at 04:32AM, indicating that the temperature never fell below 26.8°C in a 24-hour period. This breaks the previous record of 25.8°C set at Kenley Airfield on the same day.
But since data from some of our stations is reported more slowly than others, the record was only recently verified. After receiving the recording, it was thoroughly verified and quality checked before being announced as a new national record.
The highest daily minimum temperature records are the lowest temperatures recorded between 09:00 and 09:00GMT. Because minimum temperatures are most likely to occur in the early hours of the morning, the records are dated at the end of the period. This record thus covers the time period 09:00GMT Monday, July 18 – 09:00GMT Tuesday, July 19.
This new record is another reminder of just how severe the heat was in July,” said Met Office Data quality manager John Penman. What is remarkable is how far this has surpassed the previous record, which was set in August 1990 at 23.9°C, by nearly three degrees. Overnight temperatures, like daytime highs, have smashed previous records during a period of unprecedented heat in the UK.”
The Met Office maintains an extensive observation network throughout the United Kingdom. Many of our weather stations transmit minute-by-minute readings, but we also have a network of voluntary manual observations for climate monitoring that are reported less frequently. After a verification visit by our Station Weather Assessment Team, all potential new records are confirmed.
