Britain is set to be warmer than Malibu as Storm Austen, a 500-mile-wide tempest crossing the Atlantic, brings a bizarre 81F (27C) heat blast. The storm threatens to become the nation’s first named storm this autumn, but it won’t initially bring the grim weather associated with most fearsome fronts. Instead, it will suck up hot air from the tropics and Spain.
Heat to peak on Tuesday and Wednesday
Temperatures could soar as high as 27C (81F) on Tuesday and remain high throughout Wednesday. Highs will be 10C above average, making the UK hotter than the 25C expected in the US seaside resort of Malibu, California. The last time the UK experienced such autumn temperatures was in 2011, when thermometers hit 29.9C on October 1.
While the south east will be warmest, the north can expect 23C. However, the sun fun will not last. The storm will also bring 60mph winds and heavy downpours, with the Environment Agency warning of floods.
Storm may be named if warnings issued
The Met Office said the storm may be so powerful it could be named. It will be called Austen if it produces amber warnings for wind and rain.
A Met Office forecaster said: “Temperatures are set to rise once again with warmth driven north on Tuesday and Wednesday and highs potentially reaching the mid to high 20s. A low-pressure system will draw in warm, moist Atlantic air, bringing periods of rain and strengthening winds. The most persistent rainfall is expected in western areas. Whether the storm will be named will become clearer.”
The Environment Agency said: “Local flooding is possible from surface water on Monday and Tuesday.”
