Brits bask in Mediterranean heat as autumn looms with rain and frost forecast
Warm spell fades as Atlantic winds shift; forecasters warn of rain, flooding risk, and possible frosts in northern regions once autumn arrives
Britons are enjoying one of the last days of summer with unseasonably warm weather in parts of the country, even as forecasters warn that autumn conditions are on the way. London and portions of southeast England are seeing sunny intervals and highs near 27C (81F), a warmth some compare to Mediterranean climes as people soak up late-summer sun.
The best bet for sunshine on Friday is East Anglia, where forecasters predict good spells of sun through the morning and early afternoon and temperatures around 22C (72F). London is expected to stay largely dry with further periods of sunshine, though broader conditions across the country are set to change as bands of cloud and rain move in and temperatures drop.
A weather warning for rain covers Wales, Northern England and the northern part of the Midlands from 9am today until early tomorrow morning. Forecasters say rainfall could exceed an inch (about 30mm) quite widely, with the potential for flooding and difficult driving conditions in some areas as the autumn pattern begins to take hold.
As the autumn equinox approaches on Sunday, temperatures are expected to plunge to highs of just 15-16C (59-61F), even in the southern parts of England. These cooler conditions will mark a sharp contrast to the warmth seen in the last days of summer.
There is also the possibility of the first frosts of the season in the near term. Some northern locations, including isolated pockets of the North Pennines, could see temperatures fall to around 0C tomorrow night, the kind of edge condition that signals the transition into autumn.
Andrea Bishop, a Meteorological Office spokeswoman, noted that the weekend would bring a marked change in temperatures, with much cooler conditions by Sunday. She said mid-September had been unusually mild due to southwesterly winds from the Atlantic, but a shift to northerly winds this weekend would usher in a colder spell into next week. High pressure on the horizon could bring a brief return to settled weather at the start of the next week, but drier air from the north will accompany cooler temperatures, and the first frosts of autumn are possible in the north.
The developing pattern is consistent with seasonal transition. Forecasters warn that while some southern regions may enjoy dry spells in the early part of the weekend, the broader picture points to unsettled conditions returning as the week ends and the equinox arrives. The changing weather is expected to influence travel plans, outdoor activities, and preparations for the coming season across the country.
In the meantime, Americans and Britons alike may notice a shift in the air as the Atlantic influence gradually weakens and high-pressure systems reposition. City centers such as London historically see fluctuations around this time of year, with warm days offering a brief respite before cooler nights and more variable daytime temperatures take hold. As the season progresses, residents will be watching forecasts closely for signs of frost, fog, and the potential for early-winter conditions in more exposed, elevated regions.
The weather shift underscores a broader climate pattern that has produced warm spells in recent weeks, even as autumn nears. Officials urge drivers to heed rain warnings, anticipate slick roads, and prepare for rapidly changing conditions, particularly in northern and hilly areas where frosts could occur sooner than in other regions.