Forecasters have announced that 2026 is the first year to have recorded temperatures of 35C or higher on six separate days, as the UK faces its third heatwave in three months.
The Met Office made the announcement after temperatures peaked at 35.2C at Coton in the Elms, Derbyshire on Friday.
The former record was held by 1976 and 2020 during which five days were recorded with temperatures over 35C.
2026 has also become the first year to see temperatures of 35C or higher in three calendar months and broke the record for most temperatures of 34C or higher, with nine so far this summer.
A fresh hosepipe ban is set to come into force for millions of people across South East England as the temperatures put water resources under pressure.
Affinity Water became the latest utility to announce restrictions as the ongoing hot, dry weather and higher-than-usual demand hits supplies.
The firm said on Friday afternoon that it would introduce a hosepipe ban in a week on July 17, affecting around 1.1 million households across Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey and parts of London.
This means they must not use a hosepipe for activities such as watering gardens, washing cars, patios, paths and driveways, cleaning windows or filling swimming and paddling pools.
Stephen Plumb, asset strategy and capital delivery director at Affinity Water, said: “We don’t take a decision like this lightly, but with demand for water use at unprecedented levels, we need to act now to protect supplies, for our customers, especially those who are most vulnerable, for the communities we serve, and for the environment.
“We know a hosepipe ban is disruptive, and we apologise for the inconvenience this will cause.
“We would like to thank customers for their support so far this summer and for working with us to help protect our water supply. Every bit of water saved makes a difference.”
Water firms have also announced hosepipe bans for the east of England, Cambridge, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and areas of Kent.
Meanwhile, several have asked customers to take voluntary actions to limit their water use, although have so far stopped short of introducing formal restrictions.
It comes after another temperature record tumbled on Thursday when the UK recorded its eighth day at or above 34C in a calendar year, breaking the previous high of seven days set in the summer of 1976 and in 2020.
Strain on water supplies have intensified after the successive heatwaves followed a record warm spring for England and Wales.
Water minister Emma Hardy met with utility bosses last week to discuss their preparedness for a hot summer after officials said the risk of drought for some parts of the country in the coming weeks.
Authorities are keeping a close watch on East Anglia, Devon and Cornwall, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
It comes as the UK faces growing pressure on its water system as human-driven climate change disrupts rainfall patterns and drives more extreme weather events.
This has been compounded by population increases as well as years of underinvestment in infrastructure putting further strain on the system, including no new reservoirs being built in 30 years and leaking pipes.
Hosepipe restrictions came into force on Friday for about one million Southern Water customers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
On Friday morning, Anglian Water also announced a hosepipe ban for its more than five million customers in the east of England.
The ban will come into force from 1am on Saturday but the utility has asked that people “live within the spirit of these restrictions immediately”.
In a notice on Thursday afternoon, Cambridge Water announced a temporary hosepipe ban for its 350,000 customers, which came into effect immediately but enforcement actions will not start until 1am on July 17.
This marks the first time in three decades it has introduced the restriction, with the company saying teams are working around the clock to maintain supplies.
And South East Water became the first to introduce a ban on July 3 for areas of Kent, including those in Ashford, Canterbury, Faversham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Snodland, Tenterden and Tunbridge Wells.
Elsewhere, Thames Water has asked customers to limit their hosepipe use, although it has not introduced a formal ban.
Severn Trent, Essex and Suffolk Water, Wessex Water and Portsmouth Water are also urging customers to use water wisely amid the heatwave.
Separately, the Metropolitan Police urged people to avoid getting in touch for non-emergencies amid a surge in 999 calls, with temperature expected to remain high into the weekend as England is set to play in the Fifa World Cup.
Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Matt Jukes told LBC Radio on Friday: “We’re going to see more calls. We’re going to see more drinking. I hope we’re going to see more great goals for England, and we’re going to see success.”
He added: “Call us on the things we need to. Please hold back on the calls we don’t need to take.
“Officers out there are melting in the heat but they will be there to come to you if you need us.”
In a post on X, the London police force said people should only call 999 if there is “an immediate danger to life, someone is using or threatening violence, or a crime is happening right now”.
The RAC has issued another warning to drivers as the breakdown service said it is seeing hundreds more incidents every day compared to normal July levels.
RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis said vehicles will again be facing extra strain during the hotter weather, especially older ones and those with underlying issues.
He also said drivers should carry out a “few simple checks” before setting off, including ensuring coolant and oil are at the correct levels, checking tyres are in good condition and properly inflated, and not ignoring dashboard warning lights.
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