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Climate we had in 20th Century ‘has now gone’ – Met Office
The Met Office says weather once seen as extreme in the UK is becoming normal, with heat increasingly defining the country’s climate. Its latest report argues that the climate patterns familiar in the 20th century have effectively disappeared, as higher temperatures spread northwards and affect places, infrastructure and public services not built for repeated heatwaves. This matters because it points to climate change already reshaping daily life in the UK, rather than remaining a future risk.
The report says 2025 was the warmest year in records going back to 1884, and that the decade from 2016 to 2025 was 1.33C warmer than 1961-1990. In southern England, the hottest day of the year is now typically 4.5C warmer than in 1961-1990, while Greater London has seen more than a fourfold rise in days above 30C and nights above 18C. It also highlights worsening drought conditions: spring 2025 brought less than half the average rainfall across most of England and Wales, England had its driest spring in over a century, and river flows from March to August 2025 were the second lowest since 1961. Researchers also estimate that more than 2,700 people may have died from heat-related causes in England and Wales during the hot weather in May and June.
In short
- The Met Office says extreme UK heat is now normal
- 2025 was the warmest year on record
- Heat and drought are straining people, water and infrastructure
Explained simply
The Met Office is the UK's national weather and climate service. In a new report, it says the climate patterns familiar during the 20th century have now fundamentally changed, with increasing heat becoming the defining feature of Britain's weather.
Records show temperatures have risen significantly across the UK, particularly in recent years. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, whilst several parts of the country are experiencing longer dry periods and reduced rainfall.
This matters because the UK's infrastructure—from water systems and buildings to hospitals and emergency services—was designed around the old, cooler climate patterns. As conditions continue to change, these systems may struggle to cope with repeated extreme heat and water scarcity.
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