Review of 2024

by Kirsty McCabe, FRMetS

2024 was the hottest year ever recorded, with Earth's average temperature going beyond the 1.5°C warming level for the entire year for the first time. In the UK we broke multiple temperature and rainfall records, named plenty of storms and got great views of the northern lights. Here are some of the MetMatters highs and lows.

January

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

An unusually active storm season?

24 January 2024

The 2023-2024 storm naming season is the most active since we began naming storms in 2015. MetMatters and the Met Office take a closer look at what's going on.

February

Climate Weather

Inspiring Explorers expedition to South Georgia Island

07 February 2024

Crackling glaciers and icebergs, roaring elephant seals and thousands of squawking penguins; the sights and sounds of South Georgia Island, one of the wildest and remotest places on Earth.

March

In the Spotlight Weather

Gardening tips for mild and wet weather

10 March 2024

Unusually mild and worryingly wet weather is having an impact on most of us, and our gardens aren’t too impressed either! Renowned gardening expert Pippa Greenwood explains what we should and shouldn’t be doing right now.

April

Climate Weather

Dubai floods and cloud seeding

18 April 2024

Over a year’s worth of rain fell in just a single day, submerging the normally arid Gulf region and sparking tales of cloud seeding. Kirsty McCabe investigates.

May

In the Spotlight Weather

What does a 30% chance of rain mean?

23 May 2024

Will it rain today? Your weather app might say 30%, but do you know what that actually means? Ken Mylne explains why it's probably not what you're thinking...

June

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

Show your stripes 2024: a darker shade of red

20 June 2024

Each year, 21 June marks #ShowYourStripes day. Meteorologists and scientists around the world share the warming stripes to start conversations about climate change. But 2023’s extreme heat required a whole new colour.

July

In the Spotlight Weather

What happened to summer 2024?

11 July 2024

Summer 2024 has not won many fans (aside from slugs and snails). Cool, cloudy and wet aren’t ideal conditions for barbecues, summer festivals or sporting events, but are we being unrealistic?

August

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

Ocean Colour Scene

01 August 2024

There's more to the colour of the sea than you might think. Hayley Evers-King explains how satellite observations help reveal what lies beneath the blue, or not so blue, waters.

September

Citizen Science Climate In the Spotlight Weather

Add a tree to your weather station

12 September 2024

Phenology gives an indication of nature's response to weather and climate. Judith Garforth explains why we should add a tree to our weather stations.

October

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

Hurricane Helene is a harbinger of the future

02 October 2024

Something’s shifted. And it’s not just the climate. Hurricane specialist John Morales explains why he now looks at storms differently.

November

Climate In the Spotlight Weather

Cut-off lows, cold drops and DANA

07 November 2024

Over a year’s worth of rain falling in a matter of hours. MetMatters investigates the weather phenomena behind Europe’s torrential downpours and devastating flash floods.

December

Climate Weather

Climate attribution: linking extreme weather

12 December 2024

Is climate change to blame when it comes to extreme weather events, making them more frequent and more intense? MetMatters takes a look at attribution studies.