UKs extreme weather is the new normal – Met Office

In the southeast of England, “we are seeing the emergence of new warmer climates”, explains Kendon.

At the same time areas including Vale of York and Lancashire have similar temperatures now to those seen in Greater London in 1961-1990.

“Think of this warming as moving north and uphill,” Kendon explains, highlighting that the UK is losing the coldest habitats from the tops of mountains.

The impacts of extreme heat have been seen this summer, as people in many parts of the UK experienced days of above-average temperatures and high humidity.

More than 2,700 people may have died from heat-related causes in England and Wales during the exceptionally hot weather in May and June, according to experts at Imperial College London, the Met Office and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

The scientists also assessed availability of water in spring and summer, and drought frequency.

In spring 2025, most of England and Wales received less than half of the 1991-2020 average rainfall. England had its driest spring for over 100 years.

The total amount of water moving through rivers in England in March to August 2025 was the second lowest since 1961.

Climate change is expected to bring more severe winter rainfall and flooding in the UK, but hotter and drier summers are projected to bring more severe droughts in the future.

Lack of rainfall also affects soil and food production.

This year soils were drier than average for the time of year across central and southern England towards the end of June.

Plant growth can be stunted in dry soil, affecting animals or birds that rely on them for food or the success of a food crop.

Parched landscapes increase the risk of wildfires, and dry soil heats up more quickly and can amplify heatwaves.