Could melting Arctic ice be reshaping British and Irish winters?

The Arctic just hit its lowest winter sea ice maximum on record - and as a region is warming faster than many other parts of the world. New groundbreaking research reveals a climate "tug-of-war" between Arctic ice loss and ocean warming that could fundamentally alter our winter weather patterns.

In this episode of Climate Conversations, Clare Nasir introduces a fascinating deep dive into how rapid Arctic changes ripple thousands of miles south to affect our weather. Alex Burkill speaks with two leading climate scientists about why the Arctic is warming three times faster than the global average, and what this means for future weather patterns across the UK and Ireland.

MEET THE EXPERTS:

Dr Ed Blockley - Met Office Arctic Sea Ice Expert Ed explains the mechanisms linking rapid Arctic warming to mid-latitude weather patterns and the critical role of temperature gradients in driving the jet stream.Dr Steph Hay - University of Exeter, Lead Author Steph reveals surprising findings from her groundbreaking paper on Arctic sea ice impacts specifically on the British Isles—the first study to focus on our region in such detail.

The impact our changing climate has on nature is complex. Whilst some species have thrived, many others have struggled, and it is therefore essential to understand developments in order to reduce the rate of species loss. Alex Burkill caught up with Sophie Pavelle, an award-winning author and science communicator. In Sophie’s first book, Forget Me Not, she goes on a low-carbon journey around Britain in search of ten animals and habitats threatened by climate change in the 21st century. Sophie’s second book is a thrilling exploration of nature's symbiotic relationships, some comforting and familiar, others wildly alien.

The new list of storm names for the 2025/26 storm season has been announced. But is climate change influencing storms in the UK? Clare Nasir is joined by Met Office Climate Scientist Dr Mark McCarthy to find out more.

Communicating information about our climate and how its changing has always been a difficult task; whether it’s providing the latest facts and figures or information on new initiatives and projects happening to help adapt to the future. Earlier this summer the university of Exeter and the Met Office hosted a climate forum, and climate communication was one of the key topics. Alex Burkill went along to find out more and catch up with many of those speaking and attending the event.https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us...

After 40 Celsius was recorded in the UK for the first time in 2022, a report looking into the increasing chances of this happening again has been published. Clare Nasir takes us through the impacts of the extreme heat and then Alex Burkill catches up with the author of the report, Dr Gillian Kay, to discuss the importance of these findings.

Check out the report's press release here:

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news-and-media/media-centre/weather-and-climate-news/2025/met-office-report-details-rising-likelihood-of-uk-hot-days

With the cost of food going up, we take a look at how our changing climate is impacting the ability to produce certain food types. As well as discussing the ongoing concerns we look at ways we can adapt to the changes and how we can reduce the impacts. Clare Nasir goes through some of the developments whilst Alex Burkill catches up with Thomas Crocker, Science Manager for the Met Office Climate Security Team to learn how the work we do is helping organisations prepare for the future.

In this month’s Climate Conversations we are talking aboutsustainable fashion. Attitudes are changing towards clothing that we buy with increasing numbers choosing second hand clothing items made with more sustainable methods. Clare Nasir goes through some of the developments whilst Alex Burkill catches up with Professor Tamara Galloway from the University of Exeter to discuss her work to help reduce the fashion industry’s impact on the climate.

A chilly start for many with a patchy rural frost. Low pressure remains in the north of the UK, bringing cloud and patchy rain across Scotland and the far north of England with strong winds. Elsewhere, a drier day with plenty of sunny spells, although scattered showers developing in the south and west. - This is the Met Office UK Weather forecast for the morning of 17/04/2025. Bringing you today’s weather forecast is Clare Nasir.

This is the Met Office UK Weather forecast for the next 10 days 16/04/2025. After a bit more rain through the Easter weekend, more settled weather should return.Bringing you this week’s 10 Day Trend is Alex Burkill.

In this month’s Climate Conversations we are talking about renewable energy, specifically in the UK. Huge improvements have been made to our green energy output and Clare Nasir takes us through some of the important figures and promising developments. Alex Burkill then catches up with Philip Hodge, Senior Account Manager for Energy here at the Met Office, to discuss how the work we do benefits the industry as it continues to grow.