The Met Office has forecast above-average temperatures for early September, with the potential for late-season heatwaves, particularly in southern areas. The outlook, covering Saturday, August 29, to Saturday, September 12, comes as the UK moves into meteorological autumn.
Forecast Details and Regional Split
Forecasters say there is currently limited confidence over the exact weather pattern, but temperatures are “again likely to be above average overall”. The Met Office also notes “the potential for late season hot spells or heatwaves, especially in the south”.
The longer-range forecast suggests a broad north-west to south-east split, with more unsettled weather towards northern and north-western areas. In contrast, southern and eastern parts of the UK could be more likely to enjoy dry and settled conditions as high pressure becomes centred further south.
Climatological Norm and Uncertainty
The Met Office said the weather signals are currently weak, meaning “something close to the climatological norm is the current preferred story”. The forecast states that “drier, more settled weather is slightly more likely towards the south and east”, while more changeable conditions are expected towards the north and north-west.
This means summer temperatures could linger into the beginning of September, although the Met Office has not predicted a definite heatwave. Long-range forecasts are less precise than short-term ones, and the Met Office stresses that forecasts beyond five days cannot provide the same level of local detail because small changes in atmospheric conditions can have significant effects on UK weather.
Context and Immediate Outlook
The latest prediction comes after an exceptionally warm summer so far. The Met Office said earlier this summer that 2026 had already experienced “three widespread heatwaves and numerous climate records already broken” by the middle of July. Spring 2026 was the warmest on record for England and Wales, while June was England's warmest June on record.
For the immediate future, however, the weather is expected to be less settled. Today is forecast to remain mostly dry, with hazy spells of sunshine across much of the country. Northern areas will be cloudier, with a scattering of showers in Scotland, while southern England could remain locally hot. The Met Office says winds will stay light.
Tonight, sunny spells are expected before cloud thickens across the north-west, bringing some rain and drizzle. Skies should remain clearer in the south, while temperatures become a little fresher for most. Sunday is expected to be cloudier across Scotland and Northern Ireland, with some showery light rain. Elsewhere, warm spells of hazy sunshine are forecast, with light winds making conditions pleasant for many.
Looking further ahead, the Met Office currently expects temperatures to remain more likely to be above normal than below. The possibility of another burst of summer-like weather therefore remains on the table even after the official start of meteorological autumn. But forecasters have stressed that the September outlook is not a guarantee of a heatwave. Instead, it indicates that the broader atmospheric pattern currently favours above-average temperatures, with southern areas carrying the greatest potential for late-season heat.
