Rising Temperatures
The UK is experiencing an unusual spell of late September warmth, with temperatures climbing above 27°C at Heathrow, London. Many parts of southeast England have reached the low to mid-20s Celsius, while temperatures elsewhere have generally remained in the high teens or low 20s.
These temperatures are around 3°C to 7°C above the seasonal average for late September.
Unusually Warm Nights
The warm conditions are expected to continue overnight. Temperatures across much of the UK could remain between 15°C and 19°C, while parts of southeast England may stay just above 20°C.
This is significantly warmer than the typical late-September nighttime range of around 7°C to 11°C.
Warm Air from Europe
The sudden rise in temperatures is being driven by a strong southerly airflow bringing warm air from France and Spain. Temperatures in parts of continental Europe have exceeded 30°C.
However, cloud and occasional showers have kept some northern areas considerably cooler, with several locations recording temperatures below 14°C during Tuesday afternoon.
Strong Winds Expected
Southerly winds are expected to strengthen, with gusts of up to 50 mph possible across Northern Ireland and western Scotland. The strong winds are linked to a deep area of low pressure moving north through the eastern Atlantic towards Iceland.
September Continues Warm Trend
The warm spell comes as September is expected to be another warmer-than-average month. By 26 September, the Central England Temperature record was 2.6°C above normal.
The latest three-month outlook indicates an increased chance of mild conditions during autumn and the beginning of winter, suggesting that above-average temperatures could continue in the coming months.