UK Records Hottest & Sunniest Spring In Meterological Records

[hatrack]

EDIT

The British spring is usually cool and wet, a season of umbrellas and raincoats. But since the end of February, high-pressure systems, often from the Azores or mainland Europe, have lingered over the British isles, blocking the usual flow of Atlantic weather fronts that bring damp weather.

The result was not only the sunniest spring on record, but with only three summers sunnier since 1910, the fourth sunniest season overall since records began. The Met Office recorded 653.3 hours of sunshine – 43% above average – over spring, beating the previous high in 2020 by more than 27 hours.

Sunshine did not just bring heat on land: there was an unusual heatwave in the sea, with waters around the UK reaching record temperatures for April and May. Some areas were up to 4C warmer than usual.

Lack of rain left farmers and gardeners struggling. By mid-May, the UK was experiencing its driest spring for a century. Recent rainfall has eased conditions slightly but this spring still ranks as the sixth driest since 1836. The 128.2mm (5in) of rainfall was about 40% below the long-term average.

EDIT

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jun/02/uk-registers-its-hottest-and-sunniest-spring-on-record

[wolfie001]

1. Coolest May in Maryland I can recall ever

Then again, I'm "only" 65. So that's where our heat went to. Global warming can't be denied unless you're a tRUMP nazi.

[ClimateHawk]

2. It was nowhere near the coolest May in Maryland

You can check records here at NOAA Climate at a Glance. They have time series and maps. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/

And here’s Maryland’s May trend from 1960-2024:
https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/statewide/time-series/18/tavg/1/5/1960-2024?base_prd=true&begbaseyear=1951&endbaseyear=1980&trend=true&trend_base=10&begtrendyear=1960&endtrendyear=2024&filter=true&filterType=binomial

[wolfie001]

3. I was off by 3.7 degrees

I guess I'm just accustomed to a warmer climate. Never would have thought it was over the mean. Electric bill being $28 probably influenced my thinking. Not complaining about that.

[ClimateHawk]

4. You're looking at last years data point

The chart only shows data through 2024. Data for May 2025 will be released next Monday. It think it will show that May was near the mean or just below, but not that unusually cool compared to recent Mays that fell below the mean.

[wolfie001]

5. Thanks

I'd probably miss the barn when shooting target practice.

[ClimateHawk]

6. You're welcome!