Climate change warning as UK experiences hottest year on record in 2022

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
As temperatures hit an annual average of 10C for the first time, the Met Office warns human activity has polluted and warmed the climate.

The UK recorded an average annual temperature of more than 10C, 50F, for the first time in 2022, the national weather service said.

The mean temperature across the 12 months was 10.03C, beating the previous all-time high of 9.88C in 2014.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Such a freakishly hot year is now likely to happen every three to four years, the analysis concluded, whereas it would have struck just once in every 500 years had humans not polluted and warmed the climate.

Temperatures of over 40C were recorded in parts of England in July last year.Temperatures of over 40C were recorded in parts of England in July last year.
Temperatures of over 40C were recorded in parts of England in July last year.

Dr Nikos Christidis, Met Office climate attribution scientist, warned an average temperature of 10C “could occur almost every year” by the end of this century, if the planet warms by about 2.7C as is currently predicted.

Burning fossil fuels, intensive animal farming and slashing down forests are contributing to the rising global temperature, which in turn is causing violent and extreme weather.

Read More
10 of the most popular gyms in Mansfield to help you get into shape this year

Many other records were smashed around the globe last year, with Europe's worst drought in 500 years, relentless heat in India, Hurricane Ian in Florida and unimaginable flooding in Pakistan.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meanwhile, all four UK nations set new records in 2022, with England seeing the highest average temperature at 10.94C, followed by Wales, 10.23C, Northern Ireland, 9.85C, and Scotland, 8.50C.

The year also saw temperatures reach their highest ever in the country, with thermometers reaching 40.3C, 104.5F, in Lincolnshire on July 19.

Since 1884, all of the 10 warmest years have occurred after 2003.

News you can trust since 1952
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice