Record heat hits Devon in 2025 as Met Office confirms UK’s hottest ever year

Devon and Dartmoor experienced one of their warmest and sunniest years on record in 2025, as new Met Office figures confirmed the UK has recorded its hottest and sunniest year since records began.

The Met Office has confirmed that 2025 was the warmest year ever recorded across the UK, with an average temperature of 10.09°C. 

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It was also the sunniest year on record, with more than 1,648 hours of sunshine nationwide. 

Scientists say the year’s extreme conditions were made around 260 times more likely by human-driven climate change.

For Devon and Dartmoor, the year brought prolonged warm and dry conditions, particularly through spring and early summer. 

These conditions mirrored national trends, with the South West among the regions experiencing above-average temperatures and sunshine levels throughout much of the year.

According to provisional Met Office data, spring 2025 was significantly drier than average across much of southern England, including Devon.

Dartmoor, which plays a vital role in supplying water to large parts of the region, experienced prolonged dry conditions that affected rivers, reservoirs and grazing land. 

Although wetter weather later in the year helped ease pressure, the early dryness raised concerns about water resilience and land management.

The Met Office confirmed that spring and summer 2025 were the warmest on record for the UK, with every month except January and September recording above-average temperatures. 

In Devon, this resulted in long spells of settled weather that benefited tourism and outdoor businesses but also increased the risk of wildfires and placed strain on natural habitats.

Scientists say the trend is part of a wider pattern linked to climate change. Dr Mark McCarthy, Head of Climate Science at the Met Office, said: “We’re increasingly seeing UK temperatures break new ground. 

This year’s record warmth is consistent with what we expect from a warming climate, and these kinds of conditions are becoming more likely.”

The Met Office also confirmed that the UK experienced its driest spring since 1974, with much of southern England, including Devon, receiving less than half its usual rainfall during key months. 

Climate modelling shows that years as warm as 2025 are now expected to occur far more frequently, with similar or even hotter years likely in the future unless global emissions are reduced.

According to the Environment Agency’s national climate and flood risk assessments, climate change is increasing the likelihood of both droughts and flooding in the South West, requiring long-term action to protect communities, farming and wildlife.