More than 2,700 people in England and Wales are estimated to have died following two periods of extreme heat in May and June 2026, according to a new study by researchers from Imperial College London, the UK Met Office and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

The research, released on Monday, 13 July 2026, estimated that hundreds of deaths were linked to unusually high temperatures recorded across the United Kingdom earlier in the year.

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The study found that around 550 deaths were associated with the heatwave between 21 and 29 May, while nearly 2,200 deaths were linked to another extreme heat period between 18 and 28 June.

Researchers used weather records, climate models and previous studies examining excess deaths during heat events to estimate the impact of the two heatwaves.

The UK and much of Europe experienced unusually intense temperatures during the period, with England recording monthly temperature highs of 35.1°C in May and 37.7°C in June.

Mark McCarthy, science manager of the Met Office’s climate attribution team, described the events as exceptional because of both their intensity and their timing early in the year.

“They were extreme heatwaves for the UK, and for all parts of western Europe, and they’re particularly exceptional for the timing and how early in the year they occurred,” McCarthy said.

The researchers highlighted climate change as a major factor behind the increasing severity of extreme heat events.

They estimated that maximum daytime temperatures during the heatwaves were between 3°C and 4°C higher than they would likely have been without the influence of global warming.

Lea Berrang Ford, head of the UK Health Security Agency’s Centre for Climate and Health Security, said the findings demonstrate the growing health risks associated with rising temperatures.

She noted that the modelling helped show the scale of danger posed by extreme heat and the need for stronger preparations to protect vulnerable communities.

The UK Health Security Agency is expected to release its official estimate of heat-related deaths after reviewing recent death records.

The findings come amid wider concerns about the United Kingdom’s ability to adapt to a warmer climate.

The Climate Change Committee, which advises the government on climate policy, previously warned that the country was not adequately prepared for the consequences of climate change.

A recent report from the committee estimated that 92 per cent of UK homes could face overheating risks by 2050 unless stronger measures are introduced.

It recommended improvements including workplace temperature limits and increased investment in cooling systems for public buildings such as hospitals and schools.

Scientists say heatwaves are becoming more frequent, longer and more intense as global temperatures rise.

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The latest figures add to growing evidence that extreme weather events are becoming a significant public health challenge requiring long-term planning and adaptation.