UK’s 10 hottest years on record have occurred since 2002 – study
The UK’s 10 hottest years in records stretching back to the 19th century have all occurred since 2002, the Met Office revealed today.
Analysis of temperature records, which have been extended back to 1884, also reveals that none of the 10 coldest years have occurred since 1963, showing how the climate is warming.
The weather remained a key part of the conversation in Wales today after torrrential rain showers and widespread traffic disruption yesterday.
In the Met Office’s latest annual state of the climate report, the temperature series for the UK has been extended back by 26 years from 1910, as the data was added as part of ongoing work to digitise historic weather records.
Dr Mark McCarthy, head of the Met Office’s national climate information centre, said: “Looking back further into the UK’s weather reveals a very interesting timeline, with the top ten warmest years at the most recent end, since 2002.
“Extending the record back by 26 years from 1910 to 1884 didn’t bring in any new warm years, but it did bring in a number of new cold years, including several that are now within the top ten coldest years.”
The records now show 1892 as the coldest year, with the average temperature of just over 70C (44.60F), while the warmest year was 2014, with an average temperature approaching 100C (500F), he said.
The top 10 hottest years are (in order): 2014; 2006; 2011; 2007; 2017; 2003; 2018; 2004; 2002; and 2005.
The coldest years in the record are: 1892; 1888; 1885; 1963; 1919; 1886; 1917; 1909; 1887; and 1962.
The annual report shows that 2018 joined the top 10 warmest years at number seven, despite the severe “beast from the East” cold snap early in the year.
The cold weather saw the UK having the most significant snowfall since 2010 last year, though generally snow events have declined since the 1960s, the Met Office said.
In a year of extremes, the UK also saw a heatwave last summer, which the experts said was made 30 times more likely by climate change, and the season was the equal-hottest summer on record along with 2006.
In Wales, yesterday, there was a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms.
The heavy downpours caused carnage on the roads, with multiple accidents – including one car aquaplaning off the M4 – causing severe delays for those commuting eastbound along the motorway between Bridgend and Cardiff.
During the afternoon, The A4060 northbound was blocked due to an accident involving two lorries on the Heads Of The Valleys Road in Merthyr Tydfil.
There was also slow traffic on the M4, Eastbound at J30 Pewntwyn Link Road to J29 Cardiff Gate. The road was partially blocked by a three car collision at 3.10 pm. The vehicles were later moved onto the hard shoulder.
Met Office forecasters warned there was a chance that homes and businesses could be damaged by floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.
The good news is that, despite initial predictions of 50mm of rain set to fall in the space of a few hours, most of the bad weather will have eased by today.
■ Today’s forecast: Some heavy downpours in the north to begin. Drier and brighter later, with a few showers, but these will be less heavy than recently. Blustery winds at times. Maximum temperature 210C.
■ Outlook for tomorrow to Saturday: Mainly dry and sunny, but there will be a risk of catching showers during the day, with some turning heavy or thundery. Feeling warm in the sunny spells.