Met Office forecasts show parts of southern England will reach 25C on Friday, September 25, and again on Tuesday, September 29, with several areas across the UK set to enjoy a late September warm spell.
This comes after a record-breaking summer of multiple heatwaves and uncharacteristically dry weather across the UK and other parts of Europe. Despite recent rainfall, parts of England and Wales remain in drought conditions, with the Environment Agency warning that a significant amount of consistent rain will be needed to fully replenish reservoirs.
Warm spell in the south
On Friday, September 25, areas including London, Rochester, and Crawley are forecast to hit 25C. Temperatures will then lower for a few days before parts of southern England again reach 25C on Tuesday, September 29.
Greater Manchester is set to see highs of 23C on Tuesday next week, with sunshine forecast for most of north west England, according to Met Office forecasts.
Rain and thunder possible
Before then, areas in the north west are likely to see some rain on Saturday, with showers reaching Scotland and Northern Ireland during Sunday. Southwest England, Wales and the West Midlands could see more substantial downpours, with a possibility of thunder, according to forecasters.
In its long-range forecast for the UK, covering September 29 to October 8, the Met Office said it could be "very warm" at times in the east and southeast.
"Remaining changeable as Atlantic frontal systems bring spells of rain, showers and occasional strong winds," the Met Office forecast reads. "The wettest and windiest conditions will tend to be most frequent across western areas, with longer drier interludes most favoured in the far east and southeast, where it may be very warm at times."
Outlook for October
Into October, high pressure to the northeast of the UK may become more influential, with longer drier interludes focused more across the north and northeast, while occasional rain may be more prevalent towards the south and west.
The long-range forecast concludes that temperatures are expected to be above average for the period as a whole.
The 15 areas forecast to hit 25C are: Chelmsford, Dartford, Bromley, Rochester, London, Epsom, Hounslow, Crawley, Billingshurst, Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Canterbury, Basildon, Westerham and Tenterden.
