Is this climate change or just crazy weather?

From The Climate Question by BBC World Service

May 3, 2026 · 26 min

About this episode

The episode explores the relationship between current weather patterns and climate change, featuring insights from BBC Lead Weather Presenter Matt Taylor.

It’s one of the most commonly debated questions in the climate world: Is this weather we’re experiencing natural, or is it linked to man-made climate change? In this episode of The Climate Question, Hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar are joined by BBC Lead Weather Presenter, Matt Taylor. Matt’s forecasts are seen not just in the UK but around the world. Matt chats to Graihagh and Jordan about the crucial difference between weather and climate, and the challenge of communicating this on air. They discuss why heavy snowfall will still be possible in a warmer world, as well as the likely increase in droughts, heatwaves and extreme weather. Matt also talks about whether climate change will make his forecasts more or less accurate. And he tells Graihagh and Jordan about an encounter with BBC wildlife legend, David Attenborough! Got a climate question or comment? Email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com Presenters: Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar Producers: Nik Sindle and Melanie Stewart-Smith Sound Mix: Ricardo McCarthy and Tom Brignell Editors: Simon Watts and Melanie Stewart-Smith

People in this episode

Hosts: Graihagh Jackson, Jordan Dunbar

Guest: Matt Taylor

Topics covered

climate change
weather
extreme weather
communication
droughts
heatwaves

Keywords

climate change
weather
extreme weather
drought
heatwave
Matt Taylor
BBC

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC