UK’s record hot 2022 made 160 times more likely by climate crisis

Without global heating, such warm temperatures would be expected only once every five centuries, Met Office says

The record-breaking heat in the UK in 2022 was made 160 times more likely by the climate crisis, indicating the dominant influence of human-caused global heating on Britain.

Last year has been confirmed as the UK's hottest on record, with the average annual temperature passing the 10C mark for the first time. Scientists at the Met Office calculated that such heat is now expected every three to four years. Without the greenhouse gases emitted by humanity, such a warm year would be expected only once every five centuries.