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Climate newsletter |
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Issue 108 | 25 February 2026 |
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A number of factors have contributed to the prolonged spell of wet weather which has impacted many parts of the UK this winter. A strong jet stream which has shifted southwards, a blocking high-pressure system over northern Europe and the context of a changing climate, have all contributed to persistent rainfall. A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, approximately 7% more for every degree Celsius of warming, and climate change is also associated with a trend towards warmer, wetter winters in the UK.
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Last week, an interview with Chris Stark, Head of UK’s Mission for Clean Power at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, was published by Carbon Brief. In the interview with Carbon Brief, Chris makes the case for the “radical” clean-power mission, which he says will act as “huge insurance” against future gas-price spikes.
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As climate change raises the likelihood of severe heat events, improving the way we forecast heat stress is essential for public safety, planning, and resilience. A new modelling approach developed by researchers at the Met Office and partner institutions, known as UCanWBGT, aims to do exactly that.
Senior research scientist, Jon Shonk, said: "Heatwaves are a growing concern in a warmer climate, especially in urban areas where people are most impacted.” By capturing how heat behaves inside an “urban street canyon” (a street flanked by buildings), this innovative method allows human heat stress to be calculated more accurately within weather and climate models.
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Climate change refers to a large-scale, long-term shift in the planet's weather patterns and average temperatures. Since at least the mid-1800s, humans have contributed to the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the air. This causes global temperatures to rise, resulting in long-term changes to the climate.
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Our Climate Conversations series covers the latest research and real-world impacts of climate change. Topics have included record-breaking marine heatwaves, the future of UK sporting events and sustainable education. Stay tuned, as there are more episodes coming up. You can watch all previous episodes on our playlist and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up to date.
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