UK temperatures set to fall sharply as autumn chill returns next week
Temperatures across the United Kingdom will drop sharply early next week, ending a spell of unusually warm autumn weather.
The coming week will see a marked cooling trend across the UK, with afternoon highs expected to fall to 11 °C in northern Scotland and 17 °C in southern England by Wednesday, ending a period of summer-like warmth that reached 28 °C. A weather front moving southward will generate rain, heavier downpours with thunder and lightning in the south-east, and strong winds of 40 mph or more in north-west Scotland. While mist and fog may linger in parts of south Wales, the Midlands, East Anglia and southern England, sunshine will follow before clouds increase further north.
By mid-week, temperatures are projected to sit at or just below the seasonal norm, and some locations could experience light frost overnight. The Met Office notes that autumn has so far been warmer than average, and forecasts suggest a wetter, warmer season overall, influenced by a strong El Niño.
Why it matters
The cooling spell signals a return to typical autumn weather, affecting daily life, travel and energy use across the UK.
How this story developed
- Aug 31 UN warns that a record-breaking El Niño could trigger worldwide extreme weather
- Sep 3 UN says the El Niño is expected to remain in place until February 2027.
- Sep 5 Czech forecasts include a possible rapid temperature rise to around 30 °C early next week.
- Sep 7 Britain announced cuts of more than 80 % to bilateral aid in eight African states.
- Sep 7 UK models show a higher likelihood of stormier, wetter conditions during autumn and winter.
- Sep 9 A brief spell of 27‑28 °C heat is expected in southeast England on Sunday.
- Sep 9 The contiguous United States experienced its warmest June-August period on record, with an average temperature of 74.4°F, according to NOAA.
- Sep 10 August 2026 set a new all‑time monthly heat record and drought drove the two biggest western water reservoirs to their lowest historic levels.
- Sep 13 Forecasts now show showers spreading across the west and east of the UK by Tuesday, following the brief heat spike.
- Sep 20 New forecasts show London reaching about 24 °C by Monday and showers expected in Manchester from Thursday.
- Sep 21 The system, now classified as a hurricane, is positioned about 270 miles south-southeast of Manzanillo and 190 miles south-southwest of Zihuatanejo, with sustained winds of 80 mph. Forecasts suggest it could reach major-hurricane strength by Tuesday and maintain a trajectory offshore while dumping 4-8 inches of rain across Guerrero and Michoacan through Thursday. Tourist hubs such as Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara may experience rough seas and gusty conditions, and the moisture could trigger flash-flood threats in the U.S. Southwest later in the week.
- Sep 23 Polo intensified to Category 5 with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph.
- Sep 24 Authorities opened shelters and deployed thousands of military and Red Cross personnel to assist affected communities.
- Sep 29 Probability estimates now place a greater than 90% chance that the El Niño will remain very strong through February 2027.
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