UK's extreme weather is the new normal, Met Office says

Climate we had in 20th Century 'has now gone' - Met OfficeImage source, EPAImage caption, Public transport can overheat during heatwaves in the UKByGeorgina RannardClimate and science reporterPublished10 minutes agoWeather that was once considered extreme is becoming the "new normal", according to the latest Met Office report on the UK's climate.It shows the hottest day of the year in the south of England is now typically 4.5C warmer than it was in 1961-1990.The scientists say that the country's climate is "on the move" as northern areas of Britain now see warmer temperatures that used to only affect southern England.Homes, schools, hospitals, and transport networks are struggling to cope with back-to-back heatwaves this summer, exposing how unprepared the UK is for climate change."We are right now living in a time of historic and unprecedented change, and in terms of temperature, on annual, seasonal, monthly and daily timescales, this evidence shows the climate of the 20th Century has now gone," said Mike Kendon, Met Office climate information scientist.The report confirmed that 2025 was the warmest year on record since data began to be collected in 1884.It highlighted that we are now experiencing the effects of climate change.The decade 2016-2025 was 1.33C warmer than 1961-1990. Seemingly small increases in average temperatures can increase the likelihood of spikes in extreme temperatures.The report focused on extremes in high temperatures because these often have the greatest impact on people.The number of days over 30C and nights over 18C has more than quadrupled for Greater London in the period 2016-2025, compared to 1961-1990.Image source, EPAImage caption, Amber alerts have been issued during heatwaves this year warning people about the dangers of heatIn 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 L...