New research from Britain's Met Office on Tuesday revealed that Britons spend an average of 56.6 hours a year discussing the weather, underscoring the nation's enduring fascination with climate during what may become one of the warmest summers on record.
With two weeks still remaining, this summer is set to be among Britain's hottest, with both maximum and minimum temperatures well above average, Met Office data showed.
The study, conducted during a season marked by four widespread heatwaves, found that the mean temperature in Britain from 1 June to 17 August stood at 16.2 degrees Celsius, 1.5 degrees above the long-term average. This places the summer of 2025 on track to set new records.
According to the survey, 60% of respondents identified weather as their favourite topic for everyday conversation, ranking ahead of news, family, and holidays. More than 98% said they engage in small talk at least once a week, while 30% initiate such exchanges daily.
The research also found that 43% of participants often use weather to start a conversation, making it the most common icebreaker. While 22% said they enjoy weather-related discussions, the majority viewed them as a simple way to connect with family, friends, and colleagues.
"Weather has always helped bring people together and this research underlines how talking about the weather is more than a curiosity, but a necessity for many people," said Alex Deakin, Met Office meteorologist and senior presenter.
The Met Office said that as climate events grow increasingly consequential, Britons' habit of talking about the weather reflects both rising public concern over its impacts and the need to apply scientific knowledge to prepare for the future.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned that without concrete concessions from Russia, such as limiting its military forces or curbing its defe...
Multiple people were shot on Saturday at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, prompting an active shooter alert and a campus lockdown, city o...
The latest round of clashes between Thailand and Cambodia has left 15 Thai soldiers dead and 270 others injured, Thailand’s Ministry of Defence spok...
Iranian authorities have seized a foreign tanker carrying more than 6 million litres of smuggled fuel in the Sea of Oman....
A United Airlines flight heading to Tokyo was forced to return to Washington Dulles International Airport shortly after takeoff on Saturday after an e...
Public spending watchdog says billions were wasted on temporary housing, while Downing Street confirms it will not follow Australia’s lead on age-restricting digital platforms.
The United Kingdom may be overstating its influence in efforts to end the war in Ukraine, according to John Kavulich, senior editor at Issue Insight.
The possibility of restricting social media access for children is a hot topic in the European Union and the United Kingdom, after Australia implemented a world-first ban for those under 16. Lawmakers have labelled the ban a “real-world test” of how far governments can go to protect young people.
Flights have resumed at the Edinburgh airport following a period of cancellations due to an IT issue with its air traffic control provider.
The Oligarch’s Design is an investigative documentary exploring how financial power, political influence and carefully constructed narratives can shape conflict and public perception.
Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday (12 December), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA had earlier put the earthquake's preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterated his offer to host Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Ankara, at his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks took place on the sidelines of the international Forum for Peace and Trust in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on Friday (12 December).
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
The resignation of Bulgaria's government on Thursday (11 December) puts an end to an increasingly unpopular coalition but is likely to usher in a period of prolonged political instability on the eve of the Black Sea nation's entry into the euro zone.
Iceland is has become the fifth country to withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.
UNESCO has unveiled the latest additions to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, celebrating a rich array of global traditions that reflect the importance of cuisine, festivals, and local customs.
The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to María Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader, for her tireless efforts in advocating for democracy and a peaceful transition in Venezuela.
Italy is awaiting a ruling from UNESCO that could officially place its cuisine on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list, a recognition that would highlight the nation’s centuries-old culinary traditions. A final decision is expected on Wednesday (10 December).
Netflix’s plan to buy Warner Bros marks a rare moment in Hollywood where scale, risk and ambition collide. The agreement, announced on 5 December, puts a price of roughly 82.7 billion dollars on one of the film industry's most influential studios.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment