It’s that time of year when Britons are used to unpacking their winter wardrobes. But don’t disturb the moths just yet: forecasters say Tuesday could be the warmest September day in more than 40 years.
The UK’s Indian summer is set to continue, with the mercury predicted to climb to as high as 31C in south-east England. Even eastern Scotland could continue to enjoy unseasonably warm weather, with temperatures of up to 23C forecast in Aberdeen.
However, the change of seasons will be more marked in western parts of the British Isles and Northern Ireland, with a band of cloud and rain stretching across the Irish Sea. And if that cloud cover extends further eastward, it could ruin the chance for a last blast of summer heat for everyone else, too.
“If we see prolonged periods of bright skies in west London we could see up to 31C, and the last time those temperatures were recorded in September was back in 1973,” said Graham Madge, a spokesman for the Met Office. But the bad weather lurking to the west made it tough to be exact, Madge added.
The last time temperatures surpassed 30C in September was in 2006, when 30.5C was recorded at Kew Gardens on 11 September. The 31C in 1973 was recorded in Gillingham, Kent.
On Tuesday East Anglia and the east Midlands are likely to see temperatures in the high 20s, Birmingham 27C and the central belt of Scotland 24C.
Dr Thomas Waite, of the extreme events team at Public Health England, said: “Much of the advice on beating the heat is common sense and for most people there’s nothing to really worry about. But for some people, such as older people, those with underlying health conditions and those with young children, summer heat can bring real health risks.
“To keep homes and sleeping areas cool at night, remember to close curtains on windows that face the sun during the day. Once the sun is off windows, open them up to get a breeze, and think about turning off electrical devices all over the home as they can generate unwanted heat too.”
Rain over western Scotland could spread to south Wales and south-west England.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, Madge forecast temperatures of around 28C in London and Norwich and 25-27C in Leeds.
