UK sea level projections to 2300

Sea level rise is the dominant driver of increased coastal flood risk, both historically and in future projections of climate change as suggested in this recent research by Met Office Hadley Centre.

Individual UK flood events are usually associated with extreme weather conditions, particularly the generation of storm surges, which can be compounded by the action of wind-generated surface waves.

However, projections of changes in frequency and severity of future coastal extreme water levels are dominated by the long-term increase in coastal water levels associated with climate change [Palmer 2018a].

The research found that at some locations the 1 in 10,000-year flood event of today could be expected more than once per year by 2300