The UK has experienced its first-ever seven-day September heatwave, with temperatures reaching 30°C or higher for a consecutive week, the Met Office confirmed. Sunday marked the seventh day, with 32.5°C recorded in Cambridge. Previously, the longest September heatwave was three consecutive days, occurring 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 at Heathrow. Beaches were crowded, and boat trips in Cambridge saw passengers using umbrellas for sun protection. However, the heat affected pets and animals, leading to cancellations of events like DogFest at Knebworth House.
As the heatwave subsides, heavy thunderstorms are expected. A yellow thunderstorm warning covers Northern Ireland, northern England, Wales, and parts of Scotland until late Sunday. Forecasters warn of up to 70mm of rain in under an hour, potential flooding, lightning, hail, and strong winds. Disruption to travel and power cuts are possible.
On Tyneside, flash flooding affected the Great Run, closing South Shields Metro station. Additional warnings are in place for overnight into Monday across southern and central Scotland, and for the east Midlands and northern East Anglia, where severe thunderstorms with large hail and gusts up to 50 mph are expected. Monday may see scattered thunderstorms, but conditions are expected to ease.
