The United Kingdom's climate has shifted, with cold mountainous areas disappearing and extreme weather becoming the new norm, according to a recent report from the Met Office. Warming trends are advancing northward and to higher elevations, signifying a substantial change from the climate experienced in the 20th century.
Areas in the southeast of England are now witnessing the emergence of new, warmer climate conditions. Simultaneously, regions like the Vale of York and Lancashire are experiencing temperatures similar to those recorded in Greater London between 1961 and 1990. This warming phenomenon is described as a movement "north and uphill," leading to the loss of the coldest habitats found at the tops of mountains.
The report highlights the tangible impacts of extreme heat, evidenced by the exceptionally hot weather experienced across much of the UK during recent summer months. These periods were characterized by above-average temperatures and high humidity. Experts from Imperial College London, the Met Office, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimated that more than 2,700 heat-related deaths may have occurred in England and Wales during these hot spells in May and June.
Beyond temperature extremes, the scientists also examined water availability and drought frequency during spring and summer. Spring 2025 saw most of England and Wales receive less than half of the average rainfall recorded between 1991 and 2020, with England experiencing its driest spring in over a century. The volume of water flowing through English rivers from March to August 2025 was the second lowest recorded since 1961.
While climate change is expected to bring more severe winter rainfall and flooding, projections indicate that hotter and drier summers will lead to more frequent and severe droughts in the future. The lack of rainfall also has significant consequences for soil moisture and food production. By the end of June, soils across central and southern England were drier than average for that time of year. This can stunt plant growth, impacting the food sources for animals and birds, and affecting crop yields. Additionally, parched landscapes elevate the risk of wildfires, and dry soil heats up more rapidly, potentially amplifying heatwaves.