The Met Office has forecast that autumn storms could sweep the UK in the next couple of weeks, with increasingly unsettled weather expected during the rest of October.
It comes as temperatures in London are set to fall over the weekend, with highs of 14C and 13C on Saturday and Sunday. However, it will feel no warmer than 12C or 11C as a gentle breeze blows in from the north.
Unsettled weather ahead
On Thursday, a high of 21C was recorded as London enjoyed a few days of unseasonably warm weather. In its latest long-range forecast, the Met Office says unsettled weather is looking increasingly likely through the rest of the month “with spells of wet and windy weather arriving from the Atlantic”.
It adds: “While there is still a chance that high pressure will build near the UK again during late October, it is more likely that the changeable or unsettled regime will continue once established. It is possible that stormy weather may also develop at times.”
Temperature outlook
“Temperatures are likely to be near or a little above normal overall, with mild spells likely at times, especially towards the south. In between frontal systems, colder nights are possible, with a touch of frost,” the Met Office adds.
It comes as forecasters predict a huge El Niño in the Pacific will cause wetter and warmer weather this autumn.
El Niño influence
Last month, Met Office Chief Meteorologist Ian Lisk said: “The latest seasonal forecasts suggest an increased likelihood of wetter than average conditions as we move through autumn, which would be consistent with the historical influence of El Niño events.”
Last week, a top scientist at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) told The Standard stormy weather was more likely over London this winter as a result of the El Niño. “There’s an expectation of the first part of the winter being milder, wetter and windier,” said Tim Stockdale.
Last week, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said El Niño is “strengthening rapidly” and looked set to be one of the strongest in the last 70 years.
