UK on track to record its hottest year ever after third warmest autumn, Met Office says
Throughout the year the UK has basked in sunshine but has also seen torrential downpours and flooding. However, 2022 continues to be drier than average, especially in southern areas.
Thursday 1 December 2022 19:31, UK
The UK is on track to record its warmest year ever, the Met Office has said.
The country would need December to see some of the coldest temperatures ever in order to avoid 2022 becoming the hottest year since records began.
Latest figures released by the Met Office have shown autumn, which includes the months of September, October and November, was the country's third warmest, with temperatures averaging 11.1C (52F).
Only autumns in the years 2011 and 2006 have been warmer.
Rainfall for the season was also well above average for many, with the UK seeing an average of 402.5mm of rain - 19% more than the typical amount.
Even the south of England, much of which had been in drought status at the end of the summer, saw 301.9mm of rain, 28% more than average.
Overall, however, the year so far continues to be drier than would normally be expected, especially in southern areas.
Every month of 2022 so far has seen higher than average temperatures, indicating this is likely to be the case for December.
Sunshine in November was relatively close to average for most, though the north of England had 26% fewer sunshine hours than average, with 44.4 hours.
Are high temperatures expected to continue?
Mike Kendon of the National Climate Information Centre said: "Although it's too early to guarantee that 2022 will be the UK's warmest year, the first 11 months have set up the distinct possibility of a record-breaking warm year, with only a very cold December able to potentially influence where the year will eventually sit in the record books."
He added that the warmer weather is a "clear indicator" of climate change and the "likelihood of extreme heat", as seen in July, has increased.
"November had some exceptionally mild weather due to a south-westerly flow of Tropical Maritime air," he added.
"We reached the mid to high teens quite widely - whereas we would normally expect maximum temperatures of around 10C at this time of year."
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Policy and communications director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment Bob Ward has warned the impact of climate change will "continue to grow" until the world takes action.
"This is further evidence of the growing impact of climate change in the UK," he said.
"These impacts will continue to grow until the world cuts annual emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to net-zero."
The UK's five warmest autumns have all occurred since 2006.