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Britain to be hotter than Malibu as 500-mile-wide Storm Austen brings 27C warmth blast

Britain is facing being hit by with its first named storm this Autumn but instead of wild cold weather, it could actually help see our temperatures soar to highs of 27C

People out punting on the River Cam in Cambridge on a warm September day. Temperatures in parts of the South East of the UK reach into the mid 20s.  September 22, 2026.  High pressure will be the dominant influence across much of the UK through the start of the week, bringing warm conditions and some sunshine for many areas.

It is set to bring in the heat (file)(Image: James Linsell Clark / SWNS)

Storm Austen is set to blitz Britain with a bizarre 81F blast that will make it warmer than Malibu. The 500-mile-wide tempest crossing the Atlantic threatens to become the nation’s first named storm this autumn.

But it won’t initially bring the grim weather associated with most fearsome fronts. Instead it will suck up hot air from the tropics and Spain.

Temperatures could soar as high as 27C – or 81F – tomorrow and will remain high throughout Wednesday. Highs will be 10C above average making the UK hotter than the 25C expected in swanky US seaside resort Malibu, California.

The last time the UK experienced such autumn temperatures was 2011 when thermometers hit 29.9C on October 1.

People sit in sun loungers at St James park in London on April 8, 2026, as warm, sunny weather arrived in the capital, with a high temperature forecast in the mid-20s. (Photo by Toby Shepheard / AFP via Getty Images)

Just as you thought the heat was gone this year (file)(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Though the south east will be warmest, the north can expect 23C. But the sun fun will not last. The storm will also bring 60mph winds and heavy downpours, with the Environment Agency warning of floods.

The Met Office said it may be so powerful it could be named.

It will be called Austen if it produces amber warnings for wind and rain.

A Met Office forecaster said: “Temperatures are set to rise once again with warmth driven north on Tuesday and Wednesday and highs potentially reaching the mid to high 20s.

“A low-pressure system will draw in warm, moist Atlantic air, bringing periods of rain and strengthening winds.

“The most persistent rainfall is expected in western areas.

“Whether the storm will be named will become clearer.”

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The Environment Agency said: “Local flooding is possible from surface water on Monday and Tuesday.”