Met Office gives verdict on September heatwave for UK

Summer-like temperatures are set to return early next week following a rainy start to September, with temperatures set to soar to 25C.

The Met office says warm weather and sunny spells are set to make a comeback this weekend, although heavy rain also features in the forecast.

It’s set to stay warm until Monday when temperatures could reach mid 20C in the south of England. But later in the week cooler condition are predicted to return.

On Saturday, wet weather is expected to move towards the south, with rain clearing in Scotland and Northern Ireland but continuing into the afternoon in northern England, Wales and the Midlands.

However, southern parts of England are forecast to stay mostly dry with sunny spells and temperatures climbing to 24C in London and 20C in Plymouth.

Some rain is forecast for the south of England on Sunday, but the afternoon is expected to be dry with some light winds.

Temperatures are expected to stay warm with afternoon highs reaching 24C in London and 21C in Manchester.

Monday could be even warmer, with highs of 25C expected in London and 22C in Manchester and Cardiff. It will also likely reach 20C in parts of Scotland.

These temperatures are not quite warm enough to meet the criteria for a heatwave, which needs at least three consecutive days of temperatures above about 28C in the London area or 25C in Scotland.

It comes after the Met Office confirmed the UK had experienced its hottest summer since records began nearly 150 years ago.

Five heatwaves between May and August have left the majority of the country in drought and have sparked wildfires and travel disruption.

The UK recorded a mean average temperature across June, July and August of 16.5C, beating the previous seasonal high of 16.1C set last year, the Met Office said.

The highest temperature recorded this summer was on 13 August at Kew Gardens, when the mercury hit 38.1C.

Changeable conditions with occasional rain or showers arriving from the North Atlantic, are set to be frequent in northern and western parts of the UK until the end of September, according to the Met Office.

But there will also be some dry and more settled periods in the south.

Towards the end of September high pressure may become more dominant bringing more settled conditions, with warmer daytime temperatures and cooler nights.

Met Office five day forecast

Today:

Outbreaks of rain in the north and strong winds. Rain could be heavy at times across northern England, Wales and the Midlands. Drier in the south and rather breezy, with some warm sunny spells.

Tonight:

Winds gradually easing overnight as rain moves further south. Staying cloudy and humid in the south, but fresher with clearer spells in the north.

Sunday:

Cloud and outbreaks of rain linger in the south on Sunday, but rain gradually easing. Still warm and humid here. Drier, brighter and fresher in the north with sunny spells.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:

Changeable over the next few days with spells of rain and showers, interspersed with some drier and brighter weather. Warm at first, but turning fresher from Tuesday. Breezy at times.