UK weather records breaking new extremes “super fast” – report
UK’s Climate Report Highlights Rising Extremes
Recent data from the Met Office shows that Britain is experiencing climate change at an alarming rate.
Key Findings
- Fourth Warmest Year Since 1884 – The latest record places the UK’s 2023 temperatures among the highest in the last 140 years.
- Wettest Winter in 250 Years – From October 2023 to March 2024, England and Wales faced unprecedented rainfall, ranking six of the ten wettest winters in the 21st century.
- Progressive Sea‑Level Rise – Two‑thirds of the global sea‑level increase observed since 1900 has occurred within the last three decades.
Extreme Weather Patterns
Temperature and precipitation extremes are changing at the fastest pace:
- 2024 recorded the warmest spring, the second warmest February, and the fifth warmest winter on record.
- All three of the most recent years have placed the UK in the top five hottest seasons globally.
Seasonal Shifts Observed
Volunteer‑fed data collected by Met Office researchers shows clear alterations to UK seasons:
- 12 out of 13 monitored spring events in 2024 occurred earlier than average.
- No evidence of increased wind or storm activity was found.
Government Response
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband emphasized the urgency:
“Britain’s way of life is under threat.” He called for immediate action to address heat, drought, and flooding.
The Climate Change Committee reported a 50.4 percent reduction in UK greenhouse‑gas emissions since 1990, largely due to the shutdown of coal‑fired power plants.
Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged an 81 percent emission cut by 2035, reinforcing the UK’s climate ambition.
Expert Commentary
- Mike Kendon, Met Office climate scientist – “Observations show the UK climate is now noticeably different from just a few decades ago.”
- Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society – “The research reinforces the clear and urgent signals of our changing climate.”
