Exact date warm weather could return ahead of cooler autumn conditions

After an extraordinary summer marked by repeated heatwaves, parts of England are set for one last pulse of warmth before a shift to more autumnal weather. While many areas are bracing for cooler days and chilly nights, a swathe of eastern and southeastern counties could see temperatures surge back into the mid-20s.

When the warmth returns

The most likely day for a late burst of summery conditions is Wednesday 3 September, when inland areas of the east and southeast could register 23–25C. Coastal stretches may run a touch cooler, but still comfortably warm for early September.

Counties most likely to see 23–25C

• Greater London
• Surrey, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire
• Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Rutland
• Nottinghamshire, East Riding of Yorkshire
• Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire
• Kent

Seaside towns along the east coast may enjoy bright, warm spells, offering a final flourish for local tourism before the seasonal slowdown.

How this fits into an exceptional summer

This year’s summer has been remarkable for its persistence of heat. Provisional national figures compiled late in August indicate the season is on course to be among, if not the, hottest on record for the UK. The country has now seen multiple record-warm summers since 2000; recent standouts such as 2018, 2006, 2003 and 2022 sit alongside 1976 on the leaderboard. The pattern echoes a broader climate signal: as the planet warms, high-temperature extremes are becoming more frequent and prolonged, increasing pressure on water supplies and ecosystems.

What happens next

The warm interlude looks short-lived. Through early to mid-September, low pressure systems are expected to take charge, bringing a more unsettled Atlantic pattern. Many places—especially western hills and coasts—are likely to see showers or longer spells of rain. Embedded downpours could produce localized heavy bursts, and there is a chance of thunderstorms and hail in places if the atmosphere becomes unstable. Should deeper areas of low pressure pass near the UK, brief spells of stronger winds are possible.

Between weather systems, short windows of drier, brighter conditions can’t be ruled out—particularly at the beginning and again toward the end of the period—but these interludes are likely to be fleeting. As skies clear behind fronts, overnight temperatures could dip sharply in rural spots, with some sheltered areas briefly falling to around 3C.

Regional contrasts

• England (east and southeast): A spike to the mid-20s on Wednesday 3 September, then a step down to more typical early-autumn values.
• Wales and Northern Ireland: Cooler overall with a greater risk of showers, especially in the west.
• Scotland: Generally cooler and breezier, with changeable conditions and occasional heavy rain in the west and northwest.

Why it matters for people and nature

Brief warm spells in September can feel welcome, but the broader context is sobering. A cluster of record-warm summers in the past two decades reflects a climate that is trending hotter. That increases the likelihood of compound impacts—drought stress on rivers and soils, wildfire risk on parched heathlands, and heat strain in cities—followed by intense rainfall that can overwhelm hard-baked ground. Coastal ecosystems also face stress from marine heatwaves and shifting species ranges.

Practical steps still help. Use water wisely after a dry spell, especially if local restrictions are in place; plan outdoor work and travel around the risk of heavy showers; and keep an eye on vulnerable neighbors during abrupt swings between warm days and cool nights. For farmers and land managers, late-summer heat followed by unsettled weather can complicate harvest and soil management, making accurate short-range forecasts and flexible scheduling essential.

Bottom line

Expect a short-lived lift in temperatures—peaking on Wednesday 3 September across parts of eastern and southeastern England—before a return to a fresher, more changeable pattern typical of early autumn. The season’s warmth slots into a clear long-term trend: in a warming climate, brief late-summer respites are increasingly embedded within a year-round rise in temperature extremes.