UK Climate: Met Office Reveals Surprising New Weather Trends and Extremes

Extreme weather is becoming the new norm in the UK. Recent reports show that our climate has changed significantly over the past few decades.

The latest findings from the State of the UK Climate report, published by the Royal Meteorological Society, reveal that the UK has been warming steadily since the 1980s. While there have been cooler years, the overall trend shows rising temperatures, especially during heat waves.

In fact, the last three years were among the top five warmest on record. 2024 stands out as the fourth warmest year since 1884. We experienced the second warmest February, the warmest May, and other record-breaking weather that year. Some of these records were surpassed in 2025.

Since the 1980s, the UK has warmed by about 0.25°C per decade. The decade from 2015 to 2024 was notably 1.24°C warmer compared to 1961-1990. Looking back, the recent warming trend has surpassed temperatures not seen in at least 300 years.

This report is based on data from hundreds of weather stations, offering a long-term view of how our climate has evolved. It reveals startling changes in both heat and rainfall patterns. For example, extreme heat days—those 5°C, 8°C, and 10°C above the average—have dramatically increased. In the last decade alone, the number of days 5°C above average has doubled, while 10°C above average has quadrupled.

Additionally, the coldest nights are now far less common. On the rainfall side, heavy rain events have also surged. The last decade saw a 50% rise in months with twice the average rainfall when compared to the 1961-1990 period. Interestingly, while our summers are heating up, winters are getting wetter, with the winter half-year now 16% wetter than in the late 20th century.

Mike Kendon, a climate scientist with the Met Office and lead author of the report, emphasized the urgency of these changes. He stated, “Every year, we see another increase in the warming trend. Our climate is not just changing; it’s becoming noticeably different from what we experienced decades ago.”

Human activity plays a significant role in these shifts. Studies show that greenhouse gas emissions are key drivers of this warming, and the patterns we now witness are not merely natural fluctuations. They reflect a broader change influenced by us.

Other experts have echoed this sentiment. According to a recent survey by YouGov, over 60% of adults in the UK believe climate change is a pressing issue, reflecting growing public concern about environmental changes.

In conclusion, as the UK grapples with these climatic changes, understanding the data and its implications is crucial. The more we learn about these trends, the better prepared we can be to face the future.

For more detailed statistics and information, you can refer to the Met Office’s State of the UK Climate report.

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