Scientists blame climate change for the UK heatwave

Parts of the UK are experiencing a spring heatwave, with temperatures reaching 35.1°C. Scientists attribute the record-breaking heat to climate change, stating that such extreme temperatures are no longer exceptional. Warnings indicate that spring heatwaves may become more common unless emissions are rapidly reduced. The climate currently being experienced differs from past conditions, and buildings and infrastructure are described as poorly prepared. Met Office data show that UK May and spring temperature records were broken twice within a week at Kew Gardens, surpassing a previous record set in 1922 and 1944. The repeated, rapid record-breaking is described as deeply worrying, including impacts on sleep from tropical spring nights.

"This record-breaking heat has the fingerprints of climate change all over it. Temperatures on this scale were once exceptional even at the height of summer. Seeing 35°C in the UK during spring is absolutely astonishing, but the science is very clear - climate change makes these heatwaves hotter, longer, and far more frequent."

"Looking ahead, Dr Otto warns that these spring heatwaves could become the norm, unless urgent action is taken to curb climate change. The climate we are living in today is simply not the one we grew up with, and our buildings and infrastructure are woefully unprepared for what's next. While we have made some progress in cutting emissions, it is not fast enough."

"Temperature records will continue to tumble until we fundamentally halt global emissions and reach net zero. Data released by the Met Office confirms that the May and spring UK temperature records were broken not just once, but twice this week. A temperature of 34.8°C was recorded on Monday at Kew Gardens, before a reading of 35.1°C was taken at the same site yesterday."

"To break one extreme weather record in the space of a couple of days is one thing, but breaking them each day and night in succession, and by such a margin, is deeply worrying. The hottest May day in the UK is now more than two degrees higher than it was last week - and had been for more than 80 years - and our sleep is being disrupted by tropical spring nights."

Read at Mail Online