The UK is experiencing unusually hot weather for October 2023. Temperatures have reached record highs in some parts of the country and the heatwave is expected to continue until the weekend.
There are a few reasons for the hot weather in the UK. A high-pressure system is currently over the country, which means that there is a lot of warm air over the UK. The air is sinking and compressing, which heats it up and leads to higher temperatures.
Another reason for the hot weather is that the jet stream has been pushed further north than usual. The jet stream is a band of strong winds that blows high in the atmosphere. It acts as a barrier between warm air from the south and cold air from the north. When the jet stream is pushed further north, it allows warm air to flow from the south and into the UK.
The jet stream has been heavily impacted by climate change. The warmer the atmosphere is, the more moisture it can hold. This moisture is released as rain, but it can also lead to more clouds. Clouds can trap heat, which can make the jet stream weaker and wavier. A weaker and wavier jet stream can allow warm air from the south to flow further north, and cold air from the north to flow further south. This can lead to more extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts, and floods.
Although hot weather might seem like a last hurrah for summer while we’re halfway through autumn, it’s not only a sign of climate warning us about the oncoming changes to our weather system, but it’s also having an impact on our environment. Quite simply, trees won’t be shedding their leaves and animals won’t be growing their fur coats, so when the weather changes more rapidly, it can leave our ecosystem more vulnerable to cold weather and diseases.
But how can we change this? There isn’t one simple answer. But sustainability ROX can help the UK’s businesses make real changes to ensure they contribute to a more sustainable future for all. Join our mailing list for more information.