The UK has experienced an unprecedented seventh consecutive day of 30°C heat in September, the Met Office confirmed, marking the longest such heatwave on record for the month. Temperatures reached 32.5°C in Cambridge on Sunday, surpassing the previous record of three consecutive 30°C days set in 1898, 1906, 1911, and 2016.
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan described the event as unprecedented, noting that Saturday was the hottest day of 2023 with 32.7°C recorded at Heathrow. However, the heatwave is now being disrupted by heavy, thundery rain, with yellow thunderstorm warnings issued across Northern Ireland, northern England, Wales, and parts of Scotland.
The warnings, in effect from Sunday afternoon through Monday morning, predict intense downpours that could bring up to 70mm of rain in less than an hour. The Met Office warned of potential flooding, lightning strikes, hail, and strong winds, which may cause travel disruption, power cuts, and damage to buildings.
On Tyneside, flash flooding already affected the Great North Run, closing South Shields Metro station. A separate warning for severe thunderstorms and gusty winds was issued for the east Midlands and northern East Anglia, with possible 40-50 mph winds and hail up to 2cm in diameter.
Looking ahead, Morgan said Monday will see scattered thunderstorms, but conditions will be less intense than Sunday. The heatwave has also led to event cancellations, including DogFest at Knebworth House, citing concerns for animal welfare in the extreme heat.
