2025 has been UK's sunniest year ever, experts say

It may be cold outside at the moment, but 2025 has been the sunniest year on record in the UK.

There are still two weeks of the year left, but data so far shows that more than 1,600 hours of sunshine have been recorded - that's nearly 68 full days worth!

Every single month this year - except for February and October - saw higher than average hours of sunshine.

The Met Office - the UK's national weather service - says the record-breaking year was helped by a very sunny spring.

According to data from the Met Office, up until 15 December, the UK has clocked up an average of 1,622 hours of sunshine.

This beats the previous record of 1,587 hours, set for the whole of 2003.

In fact, 2025 has been the sunniest year in the UK since records began in 1910.

Across the country, England has experienced its sunniest year on record, while Scotland had its second-sunniest and Wales its sixth.

However, the past twelve months haven't quite been as sun-drenched for Northern Ireland.

But experts say with two weeks of 2025 still to go, it could yet finish in its own top 10.

Experts say that this year's sunny weather helped make it a record year for solar power too.

Between April to August, solar power provided more than 10% of Britain's energy needs.

In fact, on 8 July, solar set a new record for total output, providing over 14GW of electricity for the first time - enough to deliver more than 40% of Britain's needs at the time.

Met Office senior scientist Mike Kendon explained: "The record-breaking sunshine this year was driven by the frequent influence of high pressure that reduced cloud cover and brought sunny skies for many.

"All three months of the summer also saw above-average sunshine hours and while sunny periods are not unusual at this time of year, the duration and consistency of high-pressure systems made 2025 notably sunnier than average."