40C days in UK '20 times more likely than in 1960s'

DAYS when the mercury hits 40C are becoming more likely in Britain as the climate crisis worsens, Met Office experts warn.

- By Steph Spyro Environment Editor

Heatwaves could also become longer and hotter - with this week-end expected to hit records last seen in the summer of 1976.

During July 2022, temperatures soared to a record 40.3C at Coningsby, Lincs. Dr Gillian Kay, senior scientist at the Met Office, said: “The chance of exceeding 40C has been rapidly increasing, and it is now over 20 times more likely than it was in the 1960s. Because our climate continues to warm, we can expect the chance to keep rising.