UK mini-heatwave may see mercury rising to 26C with doable November ‘summer season’

Britain is gearing up for a mini-heatwave as experts predict scorching weather well into autumn could become the norm.

It’s good news for sun-seekers as thermometers are tipped to hit a scorching 26C across swathes of sunny southern England this week, clinging onto the last of the summer rays before the season officially wraps up on September 22. The mercury is expected to soar highest tomorrow (Thursday, September 19), marking the peak of this unexpected warm snap.

Our very own Indian summer could become the usual script, with autumn months turning up the heat. Weather expert Jim Dale from British Weather Services has dished the dirt, saying: “I think the peak of this mini heatwave will see 26C later in the week.

“We had the complete opposite earlier this month, a few weeks ago when we had terrible weather. These kind of temperatures that we’re going to experience this week are not unprecedented for this time of year.

“September is seen as a new summer month and soon we might see October as an extension of summer, that’s the direction of travel. Where we could regularly see temperatures in the early 20s in October, maybe even November, that would class as an Indian summer,” reports the Express.

A late burst of warmth this late September means theres still time to soak up some serious sunshine.

Heat maps are turning up the dial with predictions of soaring temperatures in much of southern England, hinting that thermometers could see a scorching 24C. Meteorologist Jim Dale is even more optimistic, saying: “Yep that is going to happen (warmer weather). 25C – 26C – south east UK in a southerly airflow. Unusual but not unprecedented!”

The Met Office’s Aidan McGivern added: “It will feel pleasant enough in the mid-September sunshine.”

Looking into next month, Jim gives us the lowdown on what to brace for: “We should expect any weather at any time. The UK is protected from a more exotic type of weather.”

Jim throws in his two pence about October’s outlook, predicting a chaotic mix of wet and windy thanks to a domineering high pressure zone: “Into October it’s likely to be wet and windy thanks to a high pressure zone. The jet stream will be powered up by the warmer than usual Atlantic Ocean.

“There will be a real mix of temperatures so it won’t be too cold. It won’t exclude the possibility of an Indian summer.”