Weather models are pointing to a late-summer warm spell across large parts of England, with temperatures potentially climbing to 28C next week and as many as 24 counties forecast to reach 27C or higher.
The latest projections suggest the warmer conditions could provide a notable contrast to the unsettled weather affecting parts of the UK this week.
Warm Weather Set to Return Next Week
Forecast models indicate that temperatures could begin rising across southern and central parts of England as the weekend approaches.
The Met Office expects temperatures to remain generally in the low 20s this week, although southern areas could see highs of around 24C to 25C over the weekend.
Conditions are then expected to become more settled in some areas, allowing temperatures to climb further.
According to the latest GFS model projections, eastern and southeastern England could reach 27C on Tuesday, while many parts of central, southern and western England could see temperatures around 26C.
By Wednesday, some locations could potentially reach 28C.
24 Counties Could See Temperatures of 27C or Higher
The latest weather maps identify 24 English counties where temperatures could rise to at least 27C during the forecast period.
The areas highlighted by the model are:
- Lincolnshire
- Northamptonshire
- Bedfordshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
- Essex
- Kent
- Surrey
- Sussex
- Hertfordshire
- Hampshire
- Berkshire
- Oxfordshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Cheshire
- Shropshire
- Herefordshire
- Gloucestershire
- Somerset
- Wiltshire
- Worcestershire
- Warwickshire
- Leicestershire
The forecast suggests that the warmest conditions could be concentrated across eastern, southeastern and central England, although several western counties could also experience temperatures in the upper 20s.
Temperatures Could Reach 28C in Some Areas
Wednesday currently appears to have the potential to be one of the warmest days of the spell.
GFS projections indicate that parts of western and southeastern England could reach 28C, with 27C temperatures possible across a wider area.
If the forecast develops as currently indicated, residents could experience several days of unusually warm September weather, particularly in southern and central parts of England.
However, weather models can change considerably several days ahead, meaning the precise temperatures and locations affected will become clearer as the event approaches.
Met Office Sees Some Warmer Days Ahead
The official Met Office outlook is more cautious than individual computer-model projections.
For the period from September 13 to September 22, the Met Office expects the UK to remain broadly changeable, with rain and showers particularly affecting northern and western areas.
At the same time, forecasters say there could be periods of drier and more settled weather, especially across southern parts of the country.
The Met Office also indicates that temperatures are likely to remain close to average overall, but says there is potential for rather warm days during the period.
Not Yet an Official Heatwave
Despite the prospect of 27C and 28C temperatures, the forecast does not automatically mean the UK will experience an official heatwave.
The Met Office uses location-specific thresholds and requires temperatures to meet or exceed the relevant threshold for at least three consecutive days before an official heatwave is declared.
Those thresholds vary across the country, reflecting differences in local climate.
Therefore, a single day reaching 28C would not necessarily qualify as an official heatwave.
A Late-September Warm Spell?
The potential temperature rise is notable because September normally marks the transition from summer toward cooler autumn conditions.
If the latest forecast verifies, large parts of England could instead experience a brief return to summer-like weather, with temperatures considerably higher than many people might expect at this stage of the year.
Outdoor activities, travel and weekend plans could benefit from the warmer conditions, although residents should continue checking updated forecasts because the current predictions remain several days ahead.
Forecasts Will Continue to Change
The possibility of 27C or higher temperatures across 24 counties is based on weather-model projections rather than a confirmed nationwide forecast.
The GFS model can change as new atmospheric data becomes available. The Met Office's broader forecast currently points toward a mixture of unsettled and more settled conditions, rather than a guaranteed prolonged heatwave.
For now, the clearest signal is that southern and central England could become significantly warmer next week, with some locations potentially approaching 28C.
If the current projections hold, September could deliver one more significant burst of summer-like weather before the UK settles more firmly into autumn.