Extreme weather in UK is now the norm, major climate report says
A temperature of 32C in Scotland has only been recorded on six previous occasions since 1961.
The latest State of the UK Climate report, published by Wiley in the Royal Meteorological Society's 'International Journal of Climatology', says the last three years have been in the UK's top five warmest on record, with 2024 the fourth warmest year in records dating back to 1884.
In 2024 specifically, the UK recorded its second warmest February, warmest May, fifth warmest December, fifth warmest winter and warmest spring on record.
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Statistics like this are typical of recent years in the UK's climate records and some of these have already been surpassed in 2025, the report said.
Met Office climate scientist and lead author of the report Mike Kendon said the pace of change and clustering of records is "not natural".
Met Office climate scientist and lead author of the report, Mike Kendon, said: 'Every year that goes by is another upward step on the warming trajectory our climate is on.
"Observations show that our climate in the UK is now notably different to what it was just a few decades ago. We are now seeing records being broken very frequently as we see temperature and rainfall extremes being the most affected by our changing climate.
'This pace of change and clustering of consecutive records is not a natural variation in our climate.
"Numerous studies have shown how human emissions of greenhouse gasses are warming the atmosphere and changing the weather we experience on the ground.
"Our climate in the UK is now different to what it was just a few decades ago, this is clear from our observations.'
The report is based on observations from a network of several hundred weather stations, with temperature and rainfall data from these extending back to the 19th Century providing long term context.
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Statistics show how the hottest days experienced in the UK have increased dramatically in just a few decades.
It says the number of days with temperatures 5°C above the 1961-1990 average has doubled for the most recent decade 2015-2024 compared to 1961-1990.
For 8°C above average the number has trebled and for 10°C it has quadrupled.
When comparing the most recent decade 2015-2024 to 1961-1990, the hottest summer days and coldest winter nights have warmed around twice as much as average summer days and winter nights have in some parts of the UK.
At the same time, the frequency of the coldest nights has also dropped dramatically.
Statistics also lay bare the extremes of rainfall in last the few decades. For the most recent decade 2015-2024, the number of months where counties are recording monthly rainfall totals of at least twice the 1991-2020 monthly average has increased by more than 50% compared to the number in 1961-1990.
Floods and storms brought the worst severe weather impacts to the UK in 2024.
There was widespread flooding in early January associated with the run of named storms from the autumn of 2023 including storms Babet, Ciarán, Debi, Elin, Fergus, Gerrit, Henk, Isha and Jocelyn.
October 2023 to March 2024 was the wettest winter half-year on record for England and Wales in over 250 years with areas affected by flooding including eastern Scotland, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and the West Midlands.
Met Office chief scientist, Professor Stephen Belcher, said: 'We are experiencing more severe weather events in the UK due to climate change.
"They are a potent reminder of our responsibility to citizens now, and to future generations, to accelerate efforts to adapt our society and infrastructure to cope with these weather extremes.
"The climate is likely to continue to change, and so we need to prepare for the impacts that will have on the weather we experience on the ground.'
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Belfast Telegraph
an hour ago
- Belfast Telegraph
The Open: Weather warning in force as Shane Lowry starts out after Rory McIlroy thrills fans in all-NI trio
live | We'll bring you updates here across the week Former Irish Open champion Jon Rahm has hailed his LIV Golf team-mate Tom McKibbin as 'phenomenal', while Tuesday practice at The Open could be impacted as a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued. The Met Office has warned of potential disruption not just at Royal Portrush but across Northern Ireland between 11am and 5pm. As on Monday – when play was twice halted due to a threat of lightning – it could underline the wisdom of Rory McIlroy's surprise early start. For the second day in a row, he stole a march on the crowds by sneaking out for a 7am practice round in preparation for The Open Championship, this time accompanied by fellow Northern Irishmen Tom McKibbin and Darren Clarke. The trio were getting their second look at the course after McIlroy did the same on Monday morning having raced over from Scotland, before addressing the media in the afternoon, talking about how he has learned from his approach to 2019. Who is Rory McIlroy and what is golf's Career Grand Slam? Tuesday is set to be another busy day in the interview room as World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, defending champion Xander Schauffele, two-time Irish Open champion Jon Rahm and former US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau are all due to speak ahead of the tournament.. Shane Lowry headed out for his Tuesday practice round at 12.36pm, starting at the first. Follow along with all the week's action right here on our live blog: 12 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Worth popping over to the first tee So the three NI-interest may have come and gone but there's plenty more talent out there. In fact, arriving on the first tee right now is 2019 champion Shane Lowry, alongside Americans Brian Harman and Andrew Novak. 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Today 10:01 AM Gareth Hanna Shots for the gallery Tom McKibbin hits one in close on the 18th…. And Rory hits it closer. The autograph section is PACKED waiting for these guys to sign various bits of merchandise. A HUGE roar as Rory holes a putt. It's just a taster of what we're in for this week. Today 09:53 AM Major winner on why he's 'jealous' of Tom McKibbin A man well known to the north coast has been full of praise of Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin. Jon Rahm was speaking to the media this morning and, when asked about his fellow LIV golfer McKibbin, the 2021 US Open and 2023 Masters champion explained why he's 'jealous' of the 22-year-old. He said: "Tom McKibbin should be really looking forward to this week, being a member here and being from Northern Ireland. He's a fantastic young man. For a 24-year-old to be as calm and collected as he is is quite phenomenal. 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Darren takes time to sign a young fan's flag as he heads to the tee. Only an iron for the two big hitters. It's all about playing for position on 18. Hit it into the width of the fair and then worry about the iron shot into the green. Although Tom also tested out a wood. When you can hit as straight as that you may as well take the extra yards! Today 09:40 AM Gareth Hanna Who's the big hitter? I'm not overly surprised to see one of the balls in the greenside bunker belongs to McKibbin. Rory's first drive was just short on the left and his second also found the bunker. Darren a little further back, as is understandable for a man of his vintage. Rory gives the fans a cheer with a tasty bunker shot in tight, and a chuckle when he taps in a 10-foot-plus putt with a wedge. Sure it's easy! Today 09:35 AM Gareth Hanna Let the course do the work The trio have launched their drives down the short, downhill 17th. All they need to do here is get it sent out straight and let the hill take it down to the green. Avoiding the bunkers is easier said than done, and two of the four drives that came over the hill ended up in the green side trap. There are worse places for these guys to be. This is a great place for fans to watch as the green backs on to the par three 13th. So if you're coming down this week, take my tip to get a grand stand spot here for a bit. Today 09:14 AM Gareth Hanna Yellow weather warning issued Not the news the fans want to hear as the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms between 11am and 5pm today. The warning impacts all of NI and the Met Office have said the storms "could produce 15-20 mm of rain in less than an hour, with a few spots seeing 30-40 mm in a few hours. Isolated hail and lightning strikes will be additional hazards." It could certainly cause problems not just here but across NI as the Met Office says driving conditions and public transport could be impacted, flooding of some homes and businesses is possible along with loss of power. NI issued rain and thunder weather warning with potential travel disruption and risk of flooding The Met Office has issued a weather warning across the whole of Northern Ireland with potential travel disruption as a result. Today 09:08 AM Gareth Hanna Who else is on the course? Not that anybody in the crowd cares about watching anybody else out there but there are plenty more around. Currently out there are the likes of Phil Mickelson, who is a hole or two behind Rory and the lads. Elsewhere, Louis Oosthuizen just teed off on the tenth with Justin Thomas coming behind on nine and Ryan Fox on eight. 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Today 08:31 AM Gareth Hanna Late bird still catches a little worm There is a constant flow of fans making their way from the entrance through the course and out towards the back nine where Rory is playing.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Urgent warning from Met Office as report shows extreme weather is 'new normal'
The latest report on the UK's climate is a 'call to action' against global warming. The Met Office has issued an urgent warning as extreme weather has become the 'new norm' for the UK. We enjoyed the sunniest spring on record this year and are just out a sweltering heatwave. But we have also seen some wild weather, and these trends of extremely hot weather mixed with severe storms and rainfall show the concerning impact of global warming on our climate. The new State of the UK Climate report was published by Wiley in the Royal Meteorological Society's 'International Journal of Climatology'. It shows that the last three years have been in the top five warmest on record for the UK, with records beginning in 1884. UK temperatures have warmed at a rate of approximately 0.25C per decade since the 1980s, with the most recent decade (2015-2024) being 1.24C warmer than 1961-1990. The report is based on data from a network of several hundred weather stations, with temperature and rainfall records dating back to the 1800s providing the long term context for climate change. The hottest summer days and coldest winter nights have warmed around twice as much in some parts of the UK when comparing the most recent decade of 2015-2024 to 1961-1990. Rainfall has also increased dramatically, bringing greater risks of flooding in the UK. The overall increase in rainfall was caused by an upward trend of rain in the winter half-year (October to March). For 2015-2024, the winter half-year is now 16 per cent wetter than 1961-1990 for the UK. Met Office Climate Scientist and Lead Author of the State of the UK Climate report, Mike Kendon, said: 'Every year that goes by is another upward step on the warming trajectory our climate is on. "Observations show that our climate in the UK is now notably different to what it was just a few decades ago. We are now seeing records being broken very frequently as we see temperature and rainfall extremes being the most affected by our changing climate." These changes in temperature and rainfall have already led to an increase in extreme weather events for the UK. While we've seen major storms this year, such as Storm Éowyn, and several record-breaking heatwaves already, the report only uses data up until the end of 2024. However, it details a spike in severe weather up until the end of last year that caused widespread damage and several deaths. The UK saw widespread flooding last year caused by storms Babet, Ciarán, Debi, Elin, Fergus, Gerrit, Henk, Isha and Jocelyn, and parts of Eastern Scotland in particular were affected. Parts of South Wales also experienced severe flooding from storm Bert in late November 2024, with 100 to 150mm or more of rain falling across high ground. This multi-hazard storm brought heavy rain, strong winds and caused several deaths. Red warnings were also issued across the UK for storm Isha in January and storm Darragh in December of 2024. Chief Executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, Professor Liz Bentley, said: 'This latest edition of the State of the UK Climate report reinforces the clear and urgent signals of our changing climate, rooted in robust observational science. "It documents changes in temperature, rainfall, sea level, and weather extremes that are affecting lives, infrastructure, and ecosystems across the UK. 'The report draws particular attention to the last decade that clearly shows how quickly our climate is evolving to inform policy, resilience planning, and adaptation. Perhaps most striking is the growing impact of extremes. "While long-term averages are shifting, it is the extreme heat, intense rainfall and droughts that are having the most immediate and dramatic effects on people and nature. This report is not just a record of change, but a call to action.'
Belfast Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
The Open: Weather warning in force as Rory McIlroy takes time for fans again and another NI star hailed as ‘phenomenal'
live | We'll bring you updates here across the week Former Irish Open champion Jon Rahm has hailed his LIV Golf team-mate Tom McKibbin as 'phenomenal', while Tuesday practice at The Open could be impacted as a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued. The Met Office has warned of potential disruption not just at Royal Portrush but across Northern Ireland between 11am and 5pm. As on Monday – when play was twice halted due to a threat of lightning – it could underline the wisdom of Rory McIlroy's surprise early start. For the second day in a row, he stole a march on the crowds by sneaking out for a 7am practice round in preparation for The Open Championship, this time accompanied by fellow Northern Irishmen Tom McKibbin and Darren Clarke. The trio were getting their second look at the course after McIlroy did the same on Monday morning having raced over from Scotland, before addressing the media in the afternoon, talking about how he has learned from his approach to 2019. Who is Rory McIlroy and what is golf's Career Grand Slam? Tuesday is set to be another busy day in the interview room as World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, defending champion Xander Schauffele, two-time Irish Open champion Jon Rahm and former US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau are all due to speak ahead of the tournament.. Follow along with all the week's action right here on our live blog: 21 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Rory true to his word After promising fans all day that he would sign after his round, he's still doing just that. How long do you think it would take him to get through this lot? 28 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Shots for the gallery Tom McKibbin hits one in close on the 18th…. And Rory hits it closer. The autograph section is PACKED waiting for these guys to sign various bits of merchandise. A HUGE roar as Rory holes a putt. It's just a taster of what we're in for this week. 36 minutes ago Major winner on why he's 'jealous' of Tom McKibbin A man well known to the north coast has been full of praise of Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin. Jon Rahm was speaking to the media this morning and, when asked about his fellow LIV golfer McKibbin, the 2021 US Open and 2023 Masters champion explained why he's 'jealous' of the 22-year-old. He said: "Tom McKibbin should be really looking forward to this week, being a member here and being from Northern Ireland. He's a fantastic young man. For a 24-year-old to be as calm and collected as he is is quite phenomenal. He's quiet by nature, but even in competition when things go wrong, he stays quite calm, and it's just remarkable and an incredible gift to have for a young player. I don't think I can relate to that whatsoever, so I'm a little bit jealous of that. I think it's going to serve him very well in the long run. "I think he's obviously internally processing the same emotions that all of us are processing, but outwardly he stays really, really calm, and that helps him quite a bit, on top of having a fantastic golf swing. I don't know what it is about Northern Ireland, but they have two of the most beautiful golf swings ever produced in golf. He's a fantastic golfer in general. He's got all the tools he needs to succeed in this game, and so far in his early career, he's done so." 45 minutes ago Gareth Hanna 'Have a nice hike' Looks like it's the 3-wood off 18 for Darren as his caddy hands out the club and heads off down the fairway, opting not the head up the hill to the tee. Darren takes time to sign a young fan's flag as he heads to the tee. Only an iron for the two big hitters. It's all about playing for position on 18. Hit it into the width of the fair and then worry about the iron shot into the green. Although Tom also tested out a wood. When you can hit as straight as that you may as well take the extra yards! 49 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Who's the big hitter? I'm not overly surprised to see one of the balls in the greenside bunker belongs to McKibbin. Rory's first drive was just short on the left and his second also found the bunker. Darren a little further back, as is understandable for a man of his vintage. Rory gives the fans a cheer with a tasty bunker shot in tight, and a chuckle when he taps in a 10-foot-plus putt with a wedge. Sure it's easy! 54 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Let the course do the work The trio have launched their drives down the short, downhill 17th. All they need to do here is get it sent out straight and let the hill take it down to the green. Avoiding the bunkers is easier said than done, and two of the four drives that came over the hill ended up in the green side trap. There are worse places for these guys to be. This is a great place for fans to watch as the green backs on to the par three 13th. So if you're coming down this week, take my tip to get a grand stand spot here for a bit. Today 09:14 AM Yellow weather warning issued Not the news the fans want to hear as the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms between 11am and 5pm today. The warning impacts all of NI and the Met Office have said the storms "could produce 15-20 mm of rain in less than an hour, with a few spots seeing 30-40 mm in a few hours. Isolated hail and lightning strikes will be additional hazards." It could certainly cause problems not just here but across NI as the Met Office says driving conditions and public transport could be impacted, flooding of some homes and businesses is possible along with loss of power. NI issued rain and thunder weather warning with potential travel disruption and risk of flooding The Met Office has issued a weather warning across the whole of Northern Ireland with potential travel disruption as a result. Today 09:08 AM Gareth Hanna Who else is on the course? Not that anybody in the crowd cares about watching anybody else out there but there are plenty more around. Currently out there are the likes of Phil Mickelson, who is a hole or two behind Rory and the lads. Elsewhere, Louise Oozthuisen just teed off on the tenth with Justin Thomas coming behind on nine and Ryan Fox on eight. Sepp Straka is back on the picturesque fifth and Francesco Molinari is on the third. while on the practice ground hitting balls are Padraig Harrington, Patrick Reed, Henrik Stenson, Matteo Manassero and Matthew Jordan. Today 08:52 AM Adam McKendry Birdie blitz McKibbin converts that birdie on 13 - could he be a dark horse this week? He's been trending the right direction on LIV, finishing in the top-five in Andalucía at the weekend, so maybe this is when it clicks at a Major for him... Today 08:46 AM Gareth Hanna A laugh a minute These early photos capture the mood among the trio pretty accurately Today 08:42 AM Finally a Ror McIlroy holes a long birdie putt on 12 and the crowd responds. Managed to gouge it out of the fescue and then make up and down. Tom McKibbin responds by hitting a dart to about three feet on the par-three 13th. What a shot! Today 08:31 AM Gareth Hanna Late bird still catches a little worm There is a constant flow of fans making their way from the entrance through the course and out towards the back nine where Rory is playing. Today 08:31 AM Adam McKendry Another right for Rory That's a very exasperated look as he pushes another off the tee on 12. Battling with the long club today. Tom McKibbin, meanwhile, pipes one straight down the middle to the praise of Darren Clarke: "That's perfect Tom." For all his size, he can sure hit it a mile. Today 08:25 AM Adam McKendry Show off Rory heads short of the 11th green to hit some chip shots and after some modest attempts, finishes by playing an audacious flop shot that lands right by the hole and checks up to an inch away, to gasps and applause from the crowd. "I wouldn't do that (in a tournament round)!" he quips to his team. Today 08:18 AM Adam McKendry Almost deadly Adam has headed out to the course and with his first action, nearly been killed by Rory McIlroy's drive on 11, which he pushed into the rough down the right. Considered lying down to try and get a glove out of it but no dice. Rory walks up to the ball and asks for it to be thrown back to him, instead opting to hit from the fairway. This is met with a chorus of groans from the fans assembled around it. Today 08:09 AM Gareth Hanna Faxon putting drill Rory's putting coach Brad is showing how it's done as they practice to a hole location right up at the narrow back of the green on the 10th. That would give this hole an extra 30 yards on that second shot. Today 08:06 AM Gareth Hanna On to the back Rory has gone on to the back nine with the other two so looks like he will be playing all 18, if you're just arriving and want to come and see him playing. The 10th hole is a dog leg right. The three guys all launched perfect drives up to the corner which leaves only a short pitch up to a staged green. It's not ringed with fans and the feeling is still light hearted amongst the group with plenty of laughing and joking. Rory tells another fan that he'll only do signings once he finishes. Today 07:51 AM Gareth Hanna Get in the hole! Rory has absolutely stitched one on the ninth. But nobody shouted that. Cus we're not in America.
