The UK's climate is undergoing a dramatic transformation, with extreme weather becoming the new normal. This shift is not just a blip but a clear indicator of the profound impact of climate change.
The Heat is On
Last year, 2025, was the hottest on record for the UK, with temperatures reaching unprecedented heights. The data, spanning back to 1884, reveals a worrying trend: the UK has never experienced a year as scorching as 2025. This is a direct result of the carbon pollution that continues to accumulate in our atmosphere.
The report highlights that the UK has had its warmest spring and summer on record, with England experiencing its driest spring in a century. This comes at a time when Europe has been hit by three deadly heatwaves in just two months. The Met Office's data shows that the UK has already had as many 30C days in 2026 as in the exceptionally hot year of 1976.
Normalizing Extremes
Mike Kendon, lead author of the report, emphasizes that "what we used to think of as extreme, we increasingly consider as normal." The report's findings are a stark reminder that climate breakdown is not a distant threat but a present reality. The last four years in the UK have been among the top five hottest on record, with each year bringing new records and further evidence of the changing climate.
A Moving Climate
The report also highlights the geographical shift in temperatures. Colder northern regions are now experiencing temperatures that were once typical for London decades ago. This movement of climate zones is a concerning development. Kendon notes, "Our climate is on the move - literally." In the 1980s, annual average temperatures of 11C were rare in the UK, but by 2025, almost a fifth of the land surface reached that value.
Wet and Wild
While the UK's climate is becoming wetter overall, the report warns of the increasing intensity of rainfall. The number of very wet days has risen by over 20% since the 1960s, and rainfall intensity has increased by 5%. This, combined with higher temperatures, creates a higher risk of flooding.
The report also highlights the impact of persistent hot and dry weather, which has led to wildfires and a "firewave" across the country. The current heatwave, forecast to reach highs of 33C, is a continuation of this trend and has already overwhelmed hospitals, disrupted travel, and forced school closures.
A Sobering Reality
The implications of these changes are far-reaching. As Kendon points out, "A lot of our infrastructure, housing stock, agriculture, and health systems are based on a climate that is no longer represented by recent observations." This highlights the urgent need for adaptation and a shift towards more sustainable practices.
The report's findings are a wake-up call, reminding us that climate change is not a distant threat but a present reality with profound implications for our daily lives and the future of our planet. It's time to act and adapt to the new normal.
