Erick Burgueño Salas
Research expert covering climate change and the water industry
Weather in the United Kingdom - statistics & facts
City streets covered with fog, high winds, and unpredictable rainy afternoons are some of the staple frames when someone thinks about British weather. The United Kingdom (UK) has a humid temperate oceanic climate with generally cool temperatures and cloudy conditions with precipitation all year round. It lies in the middle latitudes to the northwest of the great continental landmass of Eurasia. Due to its geographic location as an island, the UK is affected by numerous air masses arriving from multiple directions, such as the Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic. These varying air masses significantly affect the climate in each country across the nation.
Regarding average temperatures, 2022 recorded the highest annual temperature in the UK’s history, reaching more than ten degrees Celsius. In 2023, Wales and Northern Ireland reported higher mean temperatures than the year prior, surpassing both the 10 degrees Celsius mark. In the same year, Scotland reported the lowest mean temperature of the four, reaching approximately 8.5 degrees Celsius.
How warm does it get in the UK?
Climate change affects weather patterns worldwide and the UK is also affected by temperatures rising globally. July 2022 saw the highest daily maximum temperatures on record, with over 40 degrees Celsius registered in Lincolnshire, London, and Northamptonshire. England is the hottest of the four nations that make up the UK, with the highest temperatures typically occurring in July. The warmest parts of England are in the south and southeast regions, as they are less exposed to the northern polar air masses. The tropical continental air mass also affects the country, bringing warm temperatures from North Africa and the Sahara.Regarding average temperatures, 2022 recorded the highest annual temperature in the UK’s history, reaching more than ten degrees Celsius. In 2023, Wales and Northern Ireland reported higher mean temperatures than the year prior, surpassing both the 10 degrees Celsius mark. In the same year, Scotland reported the lowest mean temperature of the four, reaching approximately 8.5 degrees Celsius.
The UK’s wettest country
In addition to relatively mild temperatures, the UK also receives ample precipitation. Due to their proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, latitude, and mountainous landscape, Scotland and Wales are typically the wettest countries in the UK. In 2023, Wales was the rainiest of the four countries, with an annual rainfall of 1,680 millimeters. Conversely, rain deposits from the Atlantic move in from the west and reduce as they move east; as a result, Eastern areas tend to be drier and less windy. England was the driest of the countries, recording an annual rainfall of 1,045 millimeters in 2023.
