New UK weather records being set ‘very frequently’: report
By AFP
July 14, 2025
The report found that last year was the UK's fourth warmest since 1884
By AFP
July 14, 2025
The report found that last year was the UK's fourth warmest since 1884
- Copyright AFP Damien MEYER
Extremes in temperature and rainfall in the UK are becoming increasingly frequent, the nation’s meteorological service said Monday in a report on Britain’s changing climate.
England and Wales endured the wettest winter in 250 years in from from October 2023 to March 2024, with six of the 10 wettest winters occurring in the 21st century.
The report also found that last year was the UK’s fourth warmest since 1884 with the last three years all in the top five warmest on record.
Records were now being broken “very frequently”, said Mike Kendon, Met Office climate scientist and lead author of the Met Office’s State of the UK Climate report.
“It’s the extremes of temperature and rainfall that is changing the most, and that’s of profound concern, and that’s going to continue in the future,” he said.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the findings showed Britain’s way of life was “under threat”.
“Whether it is extreme heat, droughts, flooding, we can see it actually with our own eyes, that it’s already happening, and we need to act,” he said.
In 2024, experts recorded the warmest spring, the second warmest February and the fifth warmest winter on record.
Rising sea levels surrounding the UK were speeding up, with two-thirds of the rise recorded since 1900 taking place in the last 30 years, the report said.
“Every year that goes by is another upward step on the warming trajectory our climate is on,” Kendon said.
“Observations show that our climate in the UK is now notably different to what it was just a few decades ago,” he added.
– ‘Clear signs’ –
Changes to the seasons were evident, according to a volunteer-fed database drawn upon by the Met Office researchers.
Out of 13 spring events monitored in 2024, 12 occurred earlier than average.
The report reinforced the “clear and urgent signals of our changing climate”, added Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society.
The research, however, did not find any evidence that the UK’s climate was becoming more windy or stormy.
Last month, a group of experts tasked with advising the government said the UK had cut its carbon emissions by 50.4 percent since 1990 levels.
Much of the drop in emissions of planet-heating greenhouse gases — blamed for triggering climate change — was due to the closure of the UK’s coal-fired power generation plants, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) said in its report to parliament.
The progress could largely be attributed to the policies of the previous Conservative government, the report said, while crediting the new government of Labour Prime Minister Keir with “bold policy decisions this year”.
Starmer, elected just over a year ago, has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 81 percent on 1990 levels by 2035, strengthening the UK government’s ambitions to help curb climate change.
Extremes in temperature and rainfall in the UK are becoming increasingly frequent, the nation’s meteorological service said Monday in a report on Britain’s changing climate.
England and Wales endured the wettest winter in 250 years in from from October 2023 to March 2024, with six of the 10 wettest winters occurring in the 21st century.
The report also found that last year was the UK’s fourth warmest since 1884 with the last three years all in the top five warmest on record.
Records were now being broken “very frequently”, said Mike Kendon, Met Office climate scientist and lead author of the Met Office’s State of the UK Climate report.
“It’s the extremes of temperature and rainfall that is changing the most, and that’s of profound concern, and that’s going to continue in the future,” he said.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the findings showed Britain’s way of life was “under threat”.
“Whether it is extreme heat, droughts, flooding, we can see it actually with our own eyes, that it’s already happening, and we need to act,” he said.
In 2024, experts recorded the warmest spring, the second warmest February and the fifth warmest winter on record.
Rising sea levels surrounding the UK were speeding up, with two-thirds of the rise recorded since 1900 taking place in the last 30 years, the report said.
“Every year that goes by is another upward step on the warming trajectory our climate is on,” Kendon said.
“Observations show that our climate in the UK is now notably different to what it was just a few decades ago,” he added.
– ‘Clear signs’ –
Changes to the seasons were evident, according to a volunteer-fed database drawn upon by the Met Office researchers.
Out of 13 spring events monitored in 2024, 12 occurred earlier than average.
The report reinforced the “clear and urgent signals of our changing climate”, added Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society.
The research, however, did not find any evidence that the UK’s climate was becoming more windy or stormy.
Last month, a group of experts tasked with advising the government said the UK had cut its carbon emissions by 50.4 percent since 1990 levels.
Much of the drop in emissions of planet-heating greenhouse gases — blamed for triggering climate change — was due to the closure of the UK’s coal-fired power generation plants, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) said in its report to parliament.
The progress could largely be attributed to the policies of the previous Conservative government, the report said, while crediting the new government of Labour Prime Minister Keir with “bold policy decisions this year”.
Starmer, elected just over a year ago, has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 81 percent on 1990 levels by 2035, strengthening the UK government’s ambitions to help curb climate change.
By Dr. Tim Sandle
July 14, 2025
DIGITAL JOURNAL
An elderly man in the sun, selling items. Image by Tim Sandle.
The UK has experienced three atypical heatwaves in the early part of the summer. A heatwave is an extended period of hot weather relative to the expected conditions of the area at that time of year, which may be accompanied by high humidity.
The level of humidity can be higher in the UK than in continental Europe. If humidity is high, it is harder for the human body to keep cool as your sweat does not evaporate as quickly, adding to the overall negative consequences of extreme, climate induced weather changes.
Michael Loftus, UK Consumer Managing Director at Stiltz, has told Digital Journal that the elderly are at increased risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration and heatstroke. Loftus urges families and neighbours to check in on elderly relatives and friends regularly and to take the heat alert seriously.
He explains: “With a yellow heat health alert now in place across the UK, it’s important that people understand how these temperatures can impact the wellbeing of older and more vulnerable people.”
Under the Weather-Health Alert system, an amber alert means that weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole UK health service.
Focusing on the elderly, Loftus notes: “High temperatures can be a severe challenge to those in later life, it can make them more vulnerable to heat exhaustion, dehydration and heatstroke. For those living alone or managing underlying health conditions, it’s essential to take extra care as during a heatwave, everyday activities such as cooking, climbing stairs, or spending time in a warm room can put added strain on the body.”
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are both heat-related illnesses, but heatstroke is significantly more severe and potentially life-threatening. Heat exhaustion is a warning sign, while heatstroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.
Loftus adds that should someone suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke, measures should be taken including: “There are easy ways to help reduce the risk of heat related illnesses. These include staying indoors during the hottest part of the day, typically between 11am and 3pm, keeping curtains or blinds drawn in rooms that get direct sunlight, and opening windows at night to let cooler air circulate. Wearing light, loose fitting clothing and using a fan or cool damp cloth on the back of the neck can also help regulate body temperature.”
In addition, Loftus recommends: “If someone feels dizzy, confused, unusually tired, or develops a headache or muscle cramps, it may be a sign of heat exhaustion. In those cases, they should be moved to a cooler place, given fluids, and a medical professional should be contacted if symptoms persist.”
The simple act of checking on those members of society who are most vulnerable is important. Loftus advises: “We encourage families, neighbours and carers to check in on older relatives and friends regularly and to take the heat alert seriously. Even a quick phone call or doorstep chat can make a big difference.”
An elderly man in the sun, selling items. Image by Tim Sandle.
The UK has experienced three atypical heatwaves in the early part of the summer. A heatwave is an extended period of hot weather relative to the expected conditions of the area at that time of year, which may be accompanied by high humidity.
The level of humidity can be higher in the UK than in continental Europe. If humidity is high, it is harder for the human body to keep cool as your sweat does not evaporate as quickly, adding to the overall negative consequences of extreme, climate induced weather changes.
Michael Loftus, UK Consumer Managing Director at Stiltz, has told Digital Journal that the elderly are at increased risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration and heatstroke. Loftus urges families and neighbours to check in on elderly relatives and friends regularly and to take the heat alert seriously.
He explains: “With a yellow heat health alert now in place across the UK, it’s important that people understand how these temperatures can impact the wellbeing of older and more vulnerable people.”
Under the Weather-Health Alert system, an amber alert means that weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole UK health service.
Focusing on the elderly, Loftus notes: “High temperatures can be a severe challenge to those in later life, it can make them more vulnerable to heat exhaustion, dehydration and heatstroke. For those living alone or managing underlying health conditions, it’s essential to take extra care as during a heatwave, everyday activities such as cooking, climbing stairs, or spending time in a warm room can put added strain on the body.”
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are both heat-related illnesses, but heatstroke is significantly more severe and potentially life-threatening. Heat exhaustion is a warning sign, while heatstroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.
Loftus adds that should someone suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke, measures should be taken including: “There are easy ways to help reduce the risk of heat related illnesses. These include staying indoors during the hottest part of the day, typically between 11am and 3pm, keeping curtains or blinds drawn in rooms that get direct sunlight, and opening windows at night to let cooler air circulate. Wearing light, loose fitting clothing and using a fan or cool damp cloth on the back of the neck can also help regulate body temperature.”
In addition, Loftus recommends: “If someone feels dizzy, confused, unusually tired, or develops a headache or muscle cramps, it may be a sign of heat exhaustion. In those cases, they should be moved to a cooler place, given fluids, and a medical professional should be contacted if symptoms persist.”
The simple act of checking on those members of society who are most vulnerable is important. Loftus advises: “We encourage families, neighbours and carers to check in on older relatives and friends regularly and to take the heat alert seriously. Even a quick phone call or doorstep chat can make a big difference.”
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