Parts of southern England could record temperatures as high as 27C today (Friday, September 25), the Met Office has said in its latest forecast.
The UK weather agency said Friday will be a dry day for most, with temperatures widely reaching the mid-20s. But there is “a chance of 27C in parts of the southeast”.
For the northwest, however, the Met Office has forecast cloud, patchy rain, blustery showers, as well as hail and isolated thunder.
Weekend outlook: Saturday best, Sunday change
The Met Office forecast reads: “For many, Saturday will bring the best of the weekend weather, with sunny spells and largely dry conditions expected across central and southern parts of the UK. However, showers will continue across Scotland, Northern Ireland and some northwestern areas of England and Wales, with conditions becoming increasingly windy in the northwest later in the day.”
The weather then begins to change on Sunday as a weather front pushes eastwards across the UK. Rain is expected to move eastwards, with the heaviest and most persistent spells initially across western and northwestern areas.
“A few thunderstorms are possible within this rain as it pushes east, accompanied by gusty winds. However, eastern and southeastern England will cling on to the mostly fine and warm conditions for much of the day, with temperatures reaching 23C in some parts.”
Warm midweek, but drought persists
Tuesday next week will be another warm day, reaching highs of 26C in the south of England.
It comes as parts of England and Wales remain in drought conditions despite recent rainfall, with the Environment Agency warning that it will take a significant amount of consistent rain to replenish the reservoirs fully.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Greg Wolverson said: “We're moving from a brief spell of more settled weather for many into a more typical autumnal pattern driven by the Atlantic.”
“During the weekend we'll see weather fronts begin to move in from the northwest, before a deeper area of low pressure develops to the west of the UK early next week.”
Mr Wolverson added: “This low-pressure system will draw in warm, moist Atlantic air, bringing periods of rain and strengthening winds. While there remains uncertainty in the precise track and intensity of the system, confidence is increasing that the heaviest and most persistent rainfall is currently expected across western and northwestern areas, while many parts of the UK are likely also to experience a spell of wet and windy weather through Tuesday and Wednesday.”
“However, it will become notably warm again for the time of year, with highs in the mid-to-high 20s Celsius on Tuesday and Wednesday and some notably warm overnight periods.”
