18 hours ago
The UK's Record-Breaking Sunshine Isn't All Good News
There's one thing about climate change that's both boring and disturbing in equal measure: the repetitive breaking of meteorological records. Last year was the warmest on record globally, kicking 2023 off the top spot. So far, 2025 looks to be slightly cooler than 2024 — but is still far hotter than most years since 1940.
Regionally, new records are also being set. The UK has just experienced its warmest spring since records began in 1884 — and the sunniest. With just over 653 hours of sunshine — 43% above average — spring 2025 has outshone even most summers, becoming the fourth-sunniest overall season for the UK and the sunniest overall for Northern Ireland. This bright weather has produced a series of winners, but it also serves as a reminder that record-breaking extremes come with challenges we need to prepare better for.
