Some regions of the UK could hit highs of up to 25C this weekend after forecasters said September had been the joint-hottest since records began in 1884.
Brits are predicted to bask in sunshine and searing temperatures this weekend as an 'Indian Summer' sweeps the country. While there is rain forecast across northwest Scotland, the rest of the country will remain mostly dry, with south and southeastern areas seeing the warmest weather, according to the Met Office.
On Sunday highs of 25C could be felt in London as many regions are also forecast to see sunshine across the weekend and into Monday. BBC Weather predicts that a number of cities in Europe will be cooler than London and other areas of the UK on Sunday.
Jim Dale, a meteorologist for British Weather Services, said that temperatures will stay high across the country until at least mid October. He told the Express : "I think we can fairly call this an Indian Summer incoming - it will be peaking this time next week, but it will still be pretty good to the halfway stage of October. About 25C tops next Sunday is my call."
The Met Office defines an Indian Summer as "a warm, calm spell of weather occurring in autumn, especially in October and November". It comes as forecasters said September had been the joint-warmest on record in a series which goes back to 1884 according to provisional statistics.
Queen honoured in London New Year's fireworks before turning into King CharlesThe UK’s September 2023 mean temperature of 15.2°C puts it level with 2006’s record figure in statistics that have been ‘substantially influenced’ by the impact of climate change. England and Wales had their respective warmest September on record according to mean temperature. England’s provisional figure of 16.7°C topped the previous record of 16.5°C set in 2006. Wales’ 15.6°C also beat its 2006 figure of 15.2°C.
For Northern Ireland, September 2023 was the joint-warmest on record with an average mean temperature of 14.2°C putting it level with both 2006 and 2021’s figures. Scotland provisionally had its third warmest September on record, with an average mean temperature of 12.8°C. Only 2021 and 2006 were warmer for the country according to September mean temperature.
UK weather forecast
Today:
A day of sunshine and showers, the showers heaviest and most frequent towards the northwest. Showers becoming more isolated in the south during the afternoon, and generally easing away from the northwest later. Breezy, and feeling fresher in the south.
Tonight:
A dry, but breezy evening and night for many with clear spells. Showers continuing in the far west and northwest, merging to give longer spells of rain across Scotland later.
Wednesday:
Outbreaks of showery rain affecting Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland, some heavy. Elsewhere mostly dry with some sunshine, although a few showers, mainly in the west. Staying breezy.