The UK is on course for another record breaking year for temperature, with new figures showing 2025 is likely to rank among the warmest years since records began in 1884.
Provisional data released by the Met Office shows the UK’s average temperature for 2025 is currently tracking ahead of the previous record set in 2022, although a colder spell from Christmas into early 2026 means the final outcome is still not guaranteed.
Up to Sunday 21 December, the UK’s mean temperature for the year stands at a projected 10.05°C, compared to 10.03°C in 2022 and 9.97°C in 2023.
If confirmed, 2025 would become only the second year on record in which the UK’s annual mean temperature has exceeded 10.0°C.
Four of the UK’s last five years are now expected to feature in the top five warmest years ever recorded, underlining the pace at which the climate is changing.
All of the ten warmest years on record have occurred within the last two decades.
Mike Kendon, Senior Scientist in the Met Office climate information team, said the trend should not come as a surprise.
“If confirmed at year end this will be the second annual UK temperature record this decade, with the previous being in 2022.
“Over the last four decades we have seen the UK’s annual temperature rise by around 1.0°C.
“We will have to wait for the year end before confirming 2025’s final number, but at this stage it looks more likely than not that 2025 will be confirmed as the warmest year on record for the UK.”
He said the pace of change suggests new records are likely to continue falling.
“Since the start of the 21st century a new record has been set for UK annual mean temperature no less than six times.
“In terms of our climate, we are living in extraordinary times.”
The Met Office data shows long periods of 2025 where temperatures remained above the long term average, punctuated by shorter cooler spells.
Even with colder conditions forecast over the festive period, scientists say the overall warmth of the year so far has already pushed 2025 into rare territory.
A full provisional analysis of UK wide, national and regional climate statistics will be published by the Met Office in the New Year, when the final figures for 2025 can be confirmed.
For now, the data adds to growing evidence that the UK’s climate is warming faster than historical norms, with implications for weather patterns, ecosystems, and everyday life across the country.
