A new State of the UK Climate report says the country's weather extremes are becoming increasingly normal, with 2025 the hottest year in records dating back to 1884.
The UK’s climatic extremes are becoming increasingly normal, according to a new report that found last year was the hottest on record and warned that further “unprecedented changes” are likely to break the record again soon.
The findings come from the annual State of the UK Climate report, which draws on data stretching back to 1884. According to the analysis, the UK has never experienced a year as hot as 2025.
The report, as reported by the Guardian, attributes the record temperatures to carbon pollution clogging the atmosphere, which it says has pushed temperatures to “dizzying heights.”
The long-term picture underlines the trend: the last four years in the UK all rank among the top five hottest on record. The clustering of such warm years in a short period is a central concern raised by the analysis.
The report frames these developments as a normalisation of extremes, meaning that conditions once considered unusual are becoming a regular feature of the UK’s climate. It warns that the current record is unlikely to stand for long.
The Guardian reported that the record-breaking heat is consistent with the broader warming trend documented across the historical dataset.
Why it matters
The report signals that extreme heat is no longer a rare event in the UK but an increasingly regular occurrence, with direct implications for public health, infrastructure and daily life. As records fall repeatedly in a short span, planning for hotter conditions becomes more urgent for households, businesses and government.
Frequently asked questions
Was 2025 the hottest year on record in the UK?
Yes. According to the State of the UK Climate report, 2025 was the hottest year on record, based on data stretching back to 1884.
How far back does the UK climate data go?
The report draws on records that stretch back to 1884.
What is causing the record temperatures?
The report attributes the record heat to carbon pollution clogging the atmosphere, which it says has pushed temperatures to extreme highs.