In a landmark year for British meteorology, the Met Office has confirmed 2025 as the most extraordinary climate period in UK recorded history, simultaneously breaking national temperature and sunshine duration records.

Provisional data reveals an unprecedented average temperature of 10.09C, marginally surpassing the previous record of 10.03C set in 2022. This achievement positions 2025 alongside 2022 and 2023 in the top three warmest years ever documented, marking only the second instance where the mean annual temperature has exceeded 10C.

The year was equally remarkable for its sunshine, with an astonishing 1648.5 hours recorded - a staggering 61.4 hours more than the previous record established in 2003. Summer emerged as the standout season, characterized by four distinct heatwaves that brought extraordinary temperatures across the United Kingdom.

June initiated the temperature surge with maximum readings climbing above 33C, while Wimbledon experienced its hottest tournament start on record. Subsequent heatwaves in July and August pushed temperatures to stunning heights, with some regions in England reaching 33.4C and Scotland recording its highest August temperature since 2003 at 31.6C.

Beyond temperature, 2025 will be remembered for Storm Éowyn, arguably the most powerful windstorm of the 21st century. Striking in late January, the storm generated wind gusts between 80-90mph, prompting rare red warning alerts from the Met Office across Northern Ireland and Scotland. Tragically, one fatality occurred when a tree fell on a vehicle in County Donegal.

The spring months of March, April, and May were equally noteworthy, with all four UK nations recording their warmest spring since measurements began in 1884. The period was characterized by exceptional dryness, featuring the driest March since 1960 for England and Wales and an unprecedented number of sunshine hours in April.

While the year's climatic extremes raised concerns about potential water shortages, rainfall ultimately varied significantly across regions. Northern and western areas experienced wetter conditions, while central, southern, and eastern regions remained substantially below average precipitation levels.

These extraordinary meteorological events underscore the continuing narrative of climate variability and the importance of comprehensive environmental monitoring. As the United Kingdom navigates these unprecedented climatic shifts, the data from 2025 provides crucial insights into evolving environmental patterns.