UK had hottest summer since records began, according to the Met Office, which confirmed that 2025 has broken all previous heat records. Scientists say human-driven climate change is making such extreme temperatures far more likely in the future.
Record-Breaking Temperatures
The Met Office reported that June, July, and August recorded a mean average temperature of 16.1°C, surpassing the 2018 record of 15.8°C. This makes summer 2025 the warmest since measurements began in 1884, with the season averaging 1.5°C above the long-term norm.
The highest temperature this year was 35.8°C in Faversham, southeast England. While this did not surpass the 40.3°C record set in 2022, the country endured four heatwaves during the summer, putting pressure on infrastructure and public health systems.
Climate Change Driving Extremes
Experts at the Met Office emphasized that greenhouse gas emissions from human activity are the key factor behind the rising trend. “The summer of 2025 has been made much more likely because of the greenhouse gases humans have released since the Industrial Revolution,” said Mark McCarthy, head of climate attribution.
McCarthy added that extremes once considered rare are now becoming increasingly common in the UK’s changing climate. This aligns with warnings from global climate scientists that Europe is especially vulnerable to escalating heatwaves.
Political Debate Over Fossil Fuels
The announcement coincided with remarks by Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who pledged to extract all remaining oil and gas reserves from the North Sea if elected. Critics, including climate experts and health organisations, warn that further fossil fuel extraction would worsen the climate crisis.
Health groups representing over one million UK professionals have also raised concerns. They highlighted that extreme heat is linked to spikes in deaths, worsened mental health conditions, and heightened risks for vulnerable communities.
Impact on Daily Life
The UK’s infrastructure struggled to cope with the sustained heat. Transport for London issued warnings urging passengers to carry water and watch out for each other amid soaring underground temperatures. Public services continue to face challenges adapting to increasingly frequent heatwaves.
A Global Pattern of Extreme Weather
The UK’s record-breaking summer is part of a broader trend of climate extremes. Japan and South Korea both recorded their hottest summers in history this year, while Europe faced deadly wildfires in Greece, Spain, and Portugal. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Punjab province is experiencing its worst flooding on record, affecting two million people.
The International Court of Justice recently ruled that countries failing to meet climate obligations could be in breach of international law, raising the possibility of future reparations claims by climate-affected nations.
For global insights on climate science, visit the UK Met Office climate research.
