The United Kingdom’s summer of 2025 has been nothing short of extraordinary—and not just for its variety. From heatwaves and hosepipe bans to flooding rains and the headline-grabbing Storm Floris, Britons have seen it all. But as August draws to a close, one theme stands out above the rest: this summer has been exceptionally warm, continuing a trend that’s rapidly changing what the country expects from its summer months.
According to the BBC, June 2025 was the UK’s second-warmest June on record, with temperatures soaring 1.9°C (3.4°F) above the long-term average. July followed suit, ranking as the fifth-hottest July ever, with temperatures 1.5°C (2.7°F) warmer than normal. And while August started off stormy, it soon delivered another round of heat, solidifying 2025 as yet another year in a string of hot summers. In fact, eight out of the last ten summers—stretching from 2015 to 2024—have seen temperatures above the long-term average, a clear sign that the nation’s climate is shifting.
So, what’s driving this relentless rise in temperature? The culprit, experts say, is human-induced global warming. The Met Office’s State of the UK Climate report reveals that the number of days with temperatures above 30°C (86°F) has more than trebled in the most recent decade compared to the 1961-1990 average. Professor Liz Bentley, Chief Executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, told the BBC, “In future our summers will become hotter and drier – so temperatures will continue to increase, and we are likely to see a decrease in rainfall over the summer months.” She adds that heatwaves will not only become more frequent but also more intense and extreme, with “record breaking temperatures endured both during the day and night.”
For many, the idea of warmer, drier summers conjures up images of lazy afternoons on the beach or bustling beer gardens. Yet, the reality is more complicated—and potentially dangerous. More frequent droughts and wildfires are expected to become a regular part of the British summer. Professor Jadu Dash from the University of Southampton warns, “Drought reduces the ability of ecosystems to sequester carbon, leading to a net decrease in carbon capture during this critical period. The frequency and intensity of fires are projected to rise, which would not only reduce vegetation cover but also release substantial amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere.”
These environmental changes come with significant human costs. As temperatures climb above 27°C (81°F), mortality rates rise, putting vulnerable populations at risk. The country’s infrastructure, designed for a cooler climate, is also feeling the strain. Roads have started to melt, and rail tracks are buckling, causing travel disruptions. Professor Bentley sums it up: “Our houses, schools, hospitals and care homes have been built to keep us warm, not cool. Our roads start to melt in the heat and rail tracks buckle leading to travel disruption.”
Amidst all this, the way meteorologists measure and compare summers is also evolving. Traditionally, long-term averages are recalculated every ten years, with the current benchmark set at the 1991-2020 period. But as Met Office Senior Scientist Michael Kendon points out, “even a comparatively recent period like 1991-2020 no longer reflects our current climate.” Still, these averages remain a useful tool to illustrate just how rapidly things are changing.
But if you thought the British pastime of complaining about rain might become obsolete, think again. As the atmosphere warms, downpours are actually becoming more intense, increasing the risk of flash flooding. The BBC’s Helen Roberts, a socio-meteorologist at the Met Office, observes, “As humans, we’ve always had a biased expectation of what summer will bring. We have selective memories. We hold on to memories that are more positive and more interesting, for example warm sunny days outside. As our climate warms and we see more hot weather we will perceive it as less extreme – and come to expect more.” So, when those inevitable summer showers do arrive, they might feel even more disappointing.
Looking ahead, the changes are only expected to accelerate. The Met Office projects that by 2070, the hottest summer days in the UK will be 4-7°C (7-13°F) warmer than they were in 1990. In the south of the country, two consecutive days above 30°C (86°F) will be 16 times more likely. And by the end of the century, highs of 40°C (104°F)—a mark only reached once before, in 2022—could become a regular occurrence, happening every three or four years. Meanwhile, more intense summer downpours will heighten the risk of flash flooding, posing new challenges for government, local authorities, health services, and the public.
And the weather isn’t done yet. As reported by the Express, a 250-mile storm is set to hit Britain starting around noon on September 2, 2025. The storm is expected to begin around Devon and move north, battering the West Midlands, Birmingham, and other regions with heavy rainfall. Areas around Plymouth could see up to 52mm of rain, while the West Midlands could be in for as much as 42mm. Jim Dale, founder of the British Weather Services, explained to the Express, “It would be from an Atlantic orientation – with that ocean becoming more ‘disturbed’ due to ex-hurricane Erin and a new tropical storm. Given the change of airstream Tuesday into Wednesday, I would not be surprised if heavyweight rain and strong winds were to become more of a feature. Exactly where remains to be seen.”
The Met Office’s long-range forecast for August 28 to September 6 predicts that low pressure will dominate, bringing bands of rain or showers to most parts of the UK intermittently. “Some heavy rain is possible at times, especially in the west, but this possibly occurring more widely at times. Periods of windier weather are also likely,” the forecast states. Temperatures are expected to hover around average, with day-to-day variation depending on sunshine. However, the details remain uncertain, largely due to the potential for further systems to develop in the tropical Atlantic, which can have profound effects on UK weather patterns.
It’s a lot to take in. The UK’s summers are changing at a pace that’s hard to ignore, with rising temperatures, more frequent extremes, and unpredictable storms all becoming part of the new normal. As the country looks to the future, adaptation will be key—not just in how it builds its infrastructure, but in how it thinks about and remembers its ever-evolving summers.
