The UK is set for an unseasonal warm spell this week, with daytime temperatures up to 23C in East Anglia on Tuesday, despite recent chilly conditions. The warmth is linked to an area of low pressure passing between the UK and Iceland, which contains remnants of what was Hurricane Isaias.
Much of the country has seen temperatures drop dramatically in recent weeks after a record-smashing summer, with northwesterly winds bringing a chill over the weekend. But that is set to change as daytime temperatures are slated to remain above average in many parts of the UK this week. Nighttime temperatures in parts of England could near the October record of 18.6C.
Hurricane remnants drive warmth
Isaias initially hit the coast of Florida last week as a Category 2 storm, wreaking havoc on the Sunshine State. Two people were killed in Alabama and Florida after trees came crashing down on top of properties. But the hurricane quickly weakened over land.
A resulting area of low pressure is moving out into the Atlantic, where it will merge with another area of low pressure coming out of Canada before making its way towards Iceland by the end of Wednesday.
Rain and wind expected
The warm weather does not guarantee dry, sunny conditions, however. Rain is also expected across much of the country, but will not be enough to ease pressure on areas of England affected by drought.
In its forecast for Tuesday, the Met Office said: 'Heavy rain moves across England and Wales during the morning with blustery winds, but turning drier and brighter in the afternoon. Heavy showers move into the north later.'
Gales are forecast in the northwest of Scotland for a period, and a narrow corridor of humid ex-tropical air will sweep in before an active cold front which will bring a band of rain south-eastwards on Thursday. But despite the wetter, windier weather, temperatures in parts of England are expected to exceed 20C again that same day.
Cooler air returns by Friday
An area of high pressure will then move in on Friday, which could remain in place into next week. This will usher in cooler air again, bringing temperatures back down to average again.
The Met Office's forecast for Wednesday to Friday states: 'A band of heavy rain slowly moves south over the next few days, and rather windy in the north. Gradually turning colder and brighter from Friday with lighter winds. Mild.'
Super El Niño conditions are set to bring wetter conditions in late autumn and early winter, the forecaster previously said. The Met Office explained the weakening of the polar vortex associated with El Niño can cause cold north and northeasterly winds to outcompete the usual warmer North Atlantic drift which influences the UK climate.
'The El Niño event is still developing in the tropical Pacific and already it has surpassed the magnitude of previous events including the one in 2015/16', Met Office climate spokesperson Grahame Madge said. 'Globally, an El Niño event has several impacts, including altering rainfall patterns and increasing global temperature overall.'
