Importance Score: 85 / 100 🟢
“`
Throughout 2024, the average temperature reached a mild 9.78°C, which is 0.64°C above the average for the period between 1991 and 2020. This data places 2024 following 2022, 2023, and 2014 as the UK’s fourth warmest year on record.
The Met Office reports that all ten of the warmest years have occurred since the start of the new millennium, with five of these years taking place within the last decade. Additionally, each year of the most recent decade has experienced temperatures
surpassing the long-term average.
Climate Change Indicators
Senior Scientist Mike Kendon noted, “With 2024 joining the list of the top ten warmest years for the UK, this presents another clear example that our climate is rapidly transforming right now, and we seem to be ascending this heating trend.” He further added, “The fact that all ten of the UK’s most recent years have been above the 1991-2020 average clearly demonstrates that this decade is an impactful reminder of the swift pace of our climate’s evolution.”
The UK is currently facing an intense cold blast, making it hard to fathom the following news. The Met Office has confirmed that 2024 provisionally stands as the fourth hottest year in the nation’s recorded history.
Monthly Temperature Averages
- The warmest May ever recorded.
- The second hottest February.
- The fifth mildest December.
Throughout the year, eight months experienced above-average temperatures, including notable months:
Snowdonia, Wales, enjoys balmy temperatures
Snowdonia, Wales, enjoys balmy temperature of 14.2°C on December 25, with minimum temperatures in northern Scotland holding up above 10°C.
<
On 23 December, Dyce, Aberdeenshire recorded a temperature of 14.2°C – one of the hottest wintry days
The greatest temperature recorded for January was a remarkable 19.9°C in Achfary, Sutherland, achieved on 28th January.
Unusually Mild Nights and Fewer Frosts
Mr. Kendon further added, “2024 has been another year with nighttime temperatures far above average. We experienced several notably mild nights, accompanied by fewer frosts than usual, particularly in February and December.”
The Year in Precipitation
In terms of precipitation, 2024 was a relatively damp year, with the UK recording 1,242mm. This data represents 107 per cent of the average rainfall for central England.
The wettest areas were central southern England. Specifically, for regions like Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Last year included the warmest May on record, second warmest February, and fifth warmest December
Sunlight and Weather patterns
In terms of sunlight, 2024 was relatively gloomy, with only 1,274 hours – 91 per cent of the average. Furthermore, multiple significant storms struck the nation, bringing flooding, power outages, and several fatalities.
It is the expert’s hope that Drizzle, travel havoc, power cuts, downed trees, flooding and the aforementioned facts will draw attention to the country’s evolving climate.
Since 1963, there has not been a single year that qualified for our ten coldest listings.
Despite daily fluctuations, our long-term weather pattern is evident: global temperatures are increasing, and this trend is clearly reflected in the UK’s temperature data.
We are venturing beyond the scope of historical observations.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service has previously announced that 2024 is practically certain to be the warmest year on record. Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of C3S, affirmed their findings stating, “We can confirm with virtual certainty that 2024 will surpass all previous records and mark the first calendar year above 1.5°C.
This does not signal a breach of the Paris Agreement but underscores the utmost importance of ambitious climate action.
“`
“`