Review of 2023

by Kirsty McCabe, FRMetS

Extreme weather and climate change continued to dominate the headlines in 2023, the warmest year on record globally and the 2nd warmest for the UK.

Overall, the UK was very warm and rather wet with record-breaking temperatures in June, an exceptional heatwave in early September and a run of named storms through the autumn and winter. There were some cold snaps — in mid-January, early March and from late November into early December.

The most disruptive weather occured in the second half of the year, with two named storms in August followed by a further six between September and December (Agnes to Gerrit).

MetMatters takes a look back at some of the year's highs and lows.

January

Climate Weather

What is wind?

27 January 2023

When we’re talking about the weather, most people want to know if it’s hot or cold, wet or dry. But I would argue that it’s more useful to know what the wind is doing, as it can have a far bigger impact, from dangerous gusts to deadly wind chill

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

Retail forecasting

19 January 2023

Supermarkets seem to have an uncanny knack of stocking their shelves with just the right products, such as ice scrapers during a cold snap or barbecue food on a hot, sunny day. The reality is that a lot of planning goes on behind the scenes, with meteorologists playing a key role.

February

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

Polar vortex, sudden stratospheric warmings and the Beast from the East

03 February 2023

When people hear the phrase ‘sudden stratospheric warming’, many will immediately think about the 'Beast from the East'. However, not all sudden stratospheric warmings are the same, as Gemma Plumb explains.

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

Cyclone Gabrielle causes national state of emergency in New Zealand

16 February 2023

New Zealand declared its third ever national state of emergency in February 2023, following the passage of Cyclone Gabrielle. The cyclone hit just two weeks after severe flooding led to Auckland's wettest day in history.

March

In the Spotlight Weather

The Northern Lights

02 March 2023

Witnessing the northern lights flickering in the night sky is probably on most people’s wish list. And while more space weather than our usual earthly weather phenomenon, you do need the right weather conditions to see them.

In the Spotlight

The very long life of tropical cyclone Freddy

29 March 2023

Active for over a month, Tropical Cyclone Freddy is possibly the longest lasting tropical cyclone on record (to be confirmed by the World Meteorological Organization). Gemma Plumb takes a look at this record-breaking, multiple landfall making and ultimately devastating storm.

April

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

Europe's ski season: 2022-23 snow report

05 April 2023

Rising temperatures and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns have led to less reliable snowfall and a greater risk of rain during the winter months. Nick Russill, co-founder of Snow-Forecast.com, takes a look back at the Alpine, Scandinavian and Scottish ski season for 2022-23

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

What's happened to the UK's storm names?

13 April 2023

The week after Easter 2023 saw a dramatic change in the UK’s weather, with gales and gusts over 70mph. There was heavy rain, hail and even April snow as holidaymakers shivered looking out at the wild conditions. However, no storm name appeared. Jo Farrow wonders if storm naming has fallen out of fashion over the UK.

May

In the Spotlight Weather

Weather fit for a King?

03 May 2023

The Coronation Weekend is nearly here and as ever, the Great British Weather is keeping the royal meteorologists busy, with a chance of showers raining over Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

European drought

25 May 2023

Europe has been warming faster than any other continent in recent decades, with temperatures increasing at twice the global average rate. That means an increased risk of drought conditions, heatwaves and wildfires. Gemma Plumb takes a closer look at some of the countries worst affected in 2023.

June

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

Worst air quality in the world: wildfire smog smothers New York

12 June 2023

New Yorkers were unable to be outside for more than 5 minutes due to the smog. Mike Favetta explains how Canadian wildfires hundreds of miles away had such an effect.

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

Show your stripes 2023

20 June 2023

On 21 June, thousands of people around the world will share the climate stripes created by Professor Ed Hawkins to show how climate change is affecting where they live. Are you ready to #ShowYourStripes?

July

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

World’s hottest week on record follows the UK’s hottest June

11 July 2023

Abnormal, extreme and unprecedented. Just three words that describe the high temperatures of summer 2023, and the presence of El Niño means more dangerous levels of heat to come.

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

State of the UK Climate 2022

26 July 2023

The State of the UK Climate 2022 report highlights how the UK’s climate continues to change, with recent decades warmer, wetter, and sunnier than the 20th century.

August

Climate Weather

How does climate change affect heatwaves?

03 August 2023

What causes heatwaves and how will climate change affect them?

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

Updated forecast for Atlantic Hurricane Season

24 August 2023

Mid-August to mid-October marks the peak of the Atlantic Hurricane season, and as expected tropical storm activity has recently ramped up. Gemma Plumb takes a look at the new forecast, and whether climate change has played a role this year.

September

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

September heatwave: late summer warmth and spectacular Saharan sunsets

05 September 2023

At the start of September 2023, heatwave conditions developed over parts of the British Isles as temperatures soared both by day and night. But what caused the hot weather and how unusual is it to see temperatures above 30°C in September?

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

Coral bleaching in the Caribbean

14 September 2023

The record summer heat of 2023 led to unprecedented coral bleaching spanning thousands of miles across the Gulf of Mexico, northern Atlantic Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea, as well as the eastern Pacific Ocean. Allison Chinchar explains why coral reefs are on the front line of climate change.

October

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

The MetMatters Guide to the Winners of Weather Photographer of the Year 2023

12 October 2023

The winners of the Standard Chartered Weather Photographer of the Year 2023 have been announced — so here is our MetMatters guide to the weather behind the winning shots.

Climate Weather

​​​​​​​Fasten your seat belt: why flights are getting bumpier

05 October 2023

If you’ve ever flown on a plane, you’ll know that turbulence is no joke. Severe turbulence can lead to flight delays, create structural damage to planes and cause injuries or even death.

November

In the Spotlight Weather

Autumn colours: forecasting fall foliage

08 November 2023

Autumn is known for its beautiful displays of colour as the leaves on the trees transform from greens to yellows, oranges and reds. But did you know that the weather plays a key role in how intense the colours are, as well as how long the colourful display lasts?

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

Five key issues for COP28

30 November 2023

Dave Griggs, President of the Royal Meteorological Society, takes an in-depth look at the key issues and possible outcomes from the climate summit in Dubai.

December

In the Spotlight Weather

Exact date to stop believing weather headlines

07 December 2023

From snow to heat, one thing as predictable as the changing seasons is online news headlines that promise the ‘exact date’ we will see extreme weather events in the UK, often weeks in advance. But where do these dates come from and how do you know if they are accurate?

In the Spotlight Weather

Tornadoes around the world

14 December 2023

Tornadoes have been recorded on every continent except Antarctica, with North America at the top of that list for both frequency and severity. Allison Chinchar explains the key ingredients in tornado formation and location.