Climate change is causing a dramatic increase in the frequency of temperature extremes and number of temperature records the UK experiences.

Analysis conducted by the Met Office in its report State of the UK Climate shows that extremes of temperature in the UK are most affected by human induced climate change. This means the UK is seeing, on average, more frequent periods of hot weather and suggest an increase in rainfall extremes.

2023 was the UK’s second warmest, seventh wettest and 22nd sunniest year in records dating back to 1884, 1836 and 1910 respectively. There was of course regional variability, with Wales and Northern Ireland recording their warmest years on record.

The frequency of days reaching the 28C threshold has increased nearly everywhere across the UK. Where in the 1961-1990 averaging period only London and Hampshire recorded six or more days over 28C, by the most recent decade (2014-2023) this has spread across much of England and Wales, with frequencies in the Southeast increasing to over 12 days each year in many counties.

Lead author of the report, and Met Office climate scientist, Mike Kendon, said: “2023 was another year of interesting and, at times, significant weather. From the UK’s record warmest June by a wide margin, to a significant September heatwave and the most active start to the storm naming season culminating in serious flooding problems in the autumn, it was another year of typically varied weather. But underlying this natural variability is a continuing and increasing influence of climate change which is influencing the weather we experience.”

Data from the tide gauge at Newlyn, one of the longest available records around the UK, continues to show that sea level is rising, with 2023 the highest year on record for annual mean sea level since records began. The rate of sea level rise is estimated at 4.6 ± 0.9 mm per year (1993-2023), according to Met Office data.

Beyond the dangers of heat, flood and health, the effects on agriculture and farming are potentially profound, with the prospect of crops left to rot in the fields and a threat to food security amongst the myriad knock-on impacts.

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