BBC launches postcode lookup to show how hot and dry your summer was

Most parts of the country experienced heatwaves and periods of drought this summer, but conditions varied considerably by location. The BBC's postcode lookup lets readers see how temperature and rainfall in their neighbourhood compared with elsewhere.

Reporters at the BBC have compiled a postcode-based tool that lets people check how weather this summer affected their immediate area. While the season was marked nationally by heatwaves and widespread dry spells, local records of temperature and precipitation differed substantially from place to place.

How the postcode lookup helps

By entering a postcode, users can view detailed local information showing how hot and how dry their area was relative to other parts of the country. The service is intended to make it easier for people to understand regional variations in weather, rather than relying on broad national summaries.

Local contrasts and national trends

Meteorologists and forecasters have highlighted that summers dominated by heat and low rainfall do not affect every location equally. Coastal exposure, elevation, urban heat effects and local storm patterns can all influence how much rain falls and how high temperatures climb in any given neighbourhood. The postcode tool is designed to reflect those differences and help readers put national headlines into a local context.

Why local data matters

Understanding local weather outcomes can inform household decisions, community planning and reporting on impacts such as water restrictions, agriculture and public health. The BBC's lookup aims to provide a straightforward way for people to see the particular experience of their area this summer, alongside the broader picture of prolonged warm and dry conditions across much of the country.