Weather London set for 26C heat then a rainy commute
Weather London forecasts point to a final late-September blast: the capital is set to sizzle around 26C to 27C on Tuesday before wet, windy conditions arrive Wednesday. Met Office guidance flags heavy rain for commuters, while gusts elsewhere could near 50mph as the warm spell ends.
After a summer of heatwaves, drought and wildfires, balmy conditions linger as September closes. Monday stayed milder near 20C, according to the Evening Standard, before Tuesday's sunshine peak.
Key Takeaways
- London is forecast to reach about 26C-27C on Tuesday, 29 September, with near non-stop sunshine.
- Overnight lows near 19C-21C are unusually warm for late September, Met Office experts say.
- Wednesday brings hours of rain for the capital, with precipitation chances above 80% late morning and afternoon.
- Elsewhere in the UK, wet and windy weather may bring more than 40mm of rain and gusts exceeding 50mph.
- Thursday and Friday turn more mixed, with a drier, more settled spell likely into the weekend.
How hot will weather London get before the rain?
Tuesday, 29 September, is the standout day. The Met Office and local reports put London highs around 26C, with Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon citing a possible 27C peak that will feel "fairly unseasonable" for late September.
My London's forecast breakdown lists Tuesday at a high of 26C and a low of 19C under sunny skies, after Monday's sunny intervals near 20C. Unseasonal warmth is being driven northwards, with eastern England also tipped for mid-to-high 20s Celsius.
The warm air is linked to a low-pressure system over the Atlantic drawing milder European air toward the UK. Night-time readings near 19C to 21C are also notable and may feel uncomfortable for some sleepers.
What is the sting in the tail for London commuters?
The catch arrives Wednesday, 30 September. The Evening Standard reports hours of rainfall, with precipitation chances above 80% through late morning and afternoon. My London similarly flags downpours through Wednesday morning into early afternoon, with a high near 24C and a cooler overnight low around 14C.
Dixon said rain begins to arrive in western areas later Tuesday evening, with some western upslopes possibly seeing 20-30mm, before the front moves east overnight into Wednesday. Much of the UK faces a wet, blustery day, and some areas could see more than 40mm of rain plus wind gusts exceeding 50mph, with a risk of very large waves on western coasts.
Forecasters say a first named autumn storm is unlikely during this spell, but the midweek turn will still disrupt travel and outdoor plans after Tuesday's sunshine.
Will the unsettled spell last through the weekend?
Further patches of rain may follow on Thursday before conditions ease. Dixon described Thursday and Friday as sunshine-and-showers days with mixed conditions. The Met Office long-range outlook points to a drier-than-average period overall, lighter winds than average, and temperatures likely remaining warmer than average, even as unsettled interludes remain possible.
My London's day-by-day guide shows sunny intervals and highs near 20C-21C from Thursday through Sunday, with overnight lows dipping toward 11C-13C. Higher pressure is expected to build over the weekend, favouring more settled weather after the midweek washout.
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