Updated: 2026-07-31
The record for the highest temperature ever documented at the closest meteorological station to Birmingham was on July 19, 2022, when the mercury soared to 38.9°C.
Absolute maximum temperature recorded near Birmingham
The station that provides these official records is located at Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire, at an elevation of 85 meters, about 32.6 kilometers from Birmingham. It is important to note that the climate in the city of Birmingham itself may vary slightly due to local factors such as altitude differences, proximity to bodies of water, urban heat islands, or sheltered valleys. Therefore, while this station offers the best available reference for historical temperature extremes near Birmingham, it does not measure the city’s temperature directly.
The absolute peak temperature of 38.9°C registered on July 19, 2022, reflects the exceptional heatwave conditions that swept the region in recent years. This temperature stands as the highest since data recording began at this station in 1991 and remains unbeaten until the present.
Examining the highest temperatures on record for each month reveals the typical seasonal progression of heat near Birmingham at Coton-in-the-Elms. The summer months naturally dominate, with July showing the greatest extremes, followed by August and June:
| Month | Maximum Recorded Temperature (°C) | Average Maximum Temperature (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 15.4 | 7.1 |
| February | 18.6 | 8.3 |
| March | 23.3 | 10.5 |
| April | 26.0 | 13.6 |
| May | 27.5 | 16.9 |
| June | 31.6 | 19.9 |
| July | 38.9 | 22.1 |
| August | 34.1 | 21.7 |
| September | 31.6 | 18.8 |
| October | 28.1 | 14.5 |
| November | 18.5 | 10.2 |
| December | 15.4 | 7.6 |
The warmest month on record is July, with the absolute maximum of 38.9°C. August's record high is also notable at 34.1°C, reflecting the lingering high summer temperatures. Early spring and late autumn reach more moderate maxima, with March peaking at 23.3°C and October at 28.1°C, still occasionally warm but far from summer extremes.
Looking closer at individual daily extremes, the hottest five days on record accentuate the recent period of rising heat highs:
| Date | Maximum Temperature (°C) | Minimum Temperature (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-07-19 | 38.9 | 15.8 |
| 2022-07-18 | 36.9 | 14.7 |
| 2019-07-25 | 34.9 | 14.0 |
| 2020-07-31 | 34.5 | 11.9 |
| 2006-07-20 | 34.1 | 17.7 |
These extreme days fall mostly within July, highlighting the month’s dominance in producing the most intense heat episodes. The two consecutive days in July 2022, the 18th and 19th, stand out as the hottest ever, with temperatures reaching 38.9°C and 36.9°C, respectively.
The chart shows the complete annual series. The table lists the most notable years; the full series comes from Met Office.
| Year | Annual Maximum Temperature (°C) |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 25.5 |
| 2003 | 33.8 |
| 2006 | 34.1 |
| 2019 | 34.9 |
| 2020 | 34.5 |
| 2022 | 38.9 |
| 2025 | 32.9 |
The annual peak temperatures show a clear upward pattern in recent decades, with notable spikes in 2003 (33.8°C), 2006 (34.1°C), and the record-breaking heat of 2022 (38.9°C). This progression underscores an increasing frequency of unusually hot years close to Birmingham’s vicinity.
In summary, the temperature extremes recorded at the Coton-in-the-Elms station provide a detailed and verified account of heat records near Birmingham over the last three decades. The absolute maximum of 38.9°C on July 19, 2022, remains the highest temperature officially documented, setting a benchmark for heatwaves in this part of the UK.
Source: Met Office, Coton-in-the-Elms station, Derbyshire. Data period: March 1, 1991 to December 31, 2025.
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© 2026 HistoClima · data: Met Office (OGL v3.0) · not affiliated with Met Office · citation permitted with source.