2025 has already been UK's sunniest year on record

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) – This year has already been the UK’s sunniest year on record, according to provisional figures from the UK’s meteorological service, with about two weeks of the year still to go.

By Dec. 15, the UK had clocked up 1,622 hours of sunshine, surpassing the previous record set in 2003, said the Met Office. Records date back to 1910.

England has also already experienced its sunniest year on record, again beating the benchmark set in 2003.

Scotland saw its second-sunniest year so far, while Wales’ year came in sixth.

Northern Ireland has also seen above-average sunshine, although it is not yet among its 10 sunniest years on record, though it could still reach the top 10 by year’s-end.

"The record-breaking sunshine across the UK this year was driven by the frequent influence of high pressure that reduced cloud cover and brought sunny skies for many," Met Office Senior Scientist Mike Kendon said in a statement.

"All three months of the summer also saw above-average sunshine hours and while sunny periods are not unusual at this time of year, the duration and consistency of high-pressure systems made 2025 notably sunnier than average," he added.

"So far this year, only the months of February and October have recorded below-average sunshine hours," he said.

The Met Office said final figures for the year will be confirmed once December has ended, but the record is already secure.