UK heatwaves become the new normal, Met Office says

New Met Office data say the UK's climate has shifted toward a hotter, drier normal: 2025 was the warmest year on record since 1884, the 2016–2025 decade was about 1.33C warmer than 1961–1990, and days over 30C and nights over 18C have surged—especially in London—with warming spreading north. Spring rainfall was well below average and river flows remained low, increasing drought risk and putting pressure on homes, schools and transport as the country adapts to a climate-change-driven new normal.