Met Office forecasts six days of sizzling 30C heat for first time in September

08 September 2023 , 13:52

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Britain could experience six days of 30C heat for the first time ever in September (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Britain is set to experience a record-breaking six days of scorching 30C heat in September for the first time ever, according to the Met Office.

Thursday was provisionally declared as the hottest day of the year so far, with a sizzling 32.6C recorded in Wisley, Surrey - surpassing the previous high of 32.2C set in June.

The current heatwave has already shattered the existing record for the most consecutive days above 30C in September. Clear weather conditions, amplified by Saharan dust, have also resulted in strikingly vivid sunsets and sunrises.

Thursday marked the fourth day of temperatures exceeding 30C, outdoing the previous record of three days, which had been witnessed on four separate occasions and most recently in 2016.

This map shows the temperature for Saturday (Met Office)

Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said to the PA news agency: "If we do see 30C all the way through until Sunday, which it looks fairly sure it will be, that will be six days in a row that we have reached 30C." He added: "Previously in September we've only reached 30C three days in a row." He further noted, "So although it's not the hottest spell of weather we've had in September, in terms of prolonged hot weather it is twice as long as we have previously had."

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

The highest daily temperature ever recorded in September was a blistering 35.6C on September 2, 1906 in South Yorkshire, according to Met Office records. Weather expert Mr Partridge declared there was "no chance" of that record being shattered in the next few days - but said the yearly high could be topped again. He elaborated: "There is potential that we might get a little bit warmer over the weekend, not by a massive amount, but enough to make it the warmest day of the year so far again."

He predicted the mercury would hover around 32C, possibly nudging 33C at its peak. The relentless heat above 30C poses a significant threat to the elderly and those suffering from respiratory or cardiovascular diseases. In response, the UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber warning effective until 9pm on Sunday across almost all regions of England.

Meanwhile, the north east of England remains under a yellow heat alert until the same time. The Met Office has forecasted heavy thundery showers for Sunday across England and Wales, but temperatures are set to remain stubbornly high.

Night-time temperatures are also expected to stay warmer than usual. Mr Partridge highlighted the impact of these sweltering nights on sleeping conditions, saying: "The biggest knock-on effect at the moment is those overnight temperatures because in parts of south-west England and Wales (Wednesday) night many places didn't dip below 19C, which is not easy."

He warned that we can expect more 'tropical' nights to come, with temperatures lingering in the mid to high teens. He added, "A few spots could again not dip below 20C, so it's very warm and muggy nights."

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