There are a number of reasons why this summer has been so warm.

High pressure has regularly been overhead, meaning long spells of dry, calm, sunny weather.

The dry ground has also helped temperatures to climb.

Less of the Sun’s energy has been used in evaporating moisture leaving more to heat the ground and the air.

A marine heatwave has also played a part with sea temperatures in parts of the UK up to 3C above normal at times, reducing the usual cooling effect around the coast.

However, scientists are clear that climate change is making our summers hotter and drier.

Nine of the last 10 summers (2016-2025) have brought temperatures above the long-term norm.

The number of very hot days with temperatures above 30C (86F) has more than trebled in the most recent decade compared with the 1961-1990 average.

This year’s heat looks set to knock the infamous summer of 1976 out of the UK’s five warmest on record – meaning the five hottest summers will all have occurred since the year 2000.

The full summer statistics are expected to be released by the Met Office on 1 September.