Weather: UK sees new September heat record - but thunderstorms are on the way
The UK experienced the hottest day of the year so far on Thursday, when temperatures in Wisley, Surrey, soared to 32.6C (90.7F).
Saturday 9 September 2023 07:29, UK
The UK - for the first time ever - has recorded temperatures above 30C for five consecutive days in September, despite thunderstorms expected to affect large parts of the country this weekend.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Met Office said: "Today's provisional highest temperature was 30.9C at Cavendish, in Suffolk.
"This marks the fifth consecutive day when temperatures have exceeded 30C and is the first time this has ever happened in September in our records."
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It is thought the high temperatures could continue into the weekend - Sky News weather producer Steff Gaulter said there is a "good chance" Saturday will be the new hottest day of the year, with temperatures expected to climb to 33C.
However, there are yellow thunderstorm warnings in place for Saturday too, affecting areas from eastern Wales and the northwest of England, through to East Anglia and Wiltshire.
The public have been told to expect:
• Tricky driving conditions due to spray and water
• A slight chance of power cuts to homes and businesses
• A small chance of flooding and building damage from lightning strikes and strong winds
The mercury hit a balmy 32.6C (90.7F) in Wisley, Surrey, on Thursday, making it the hottest day of the year so far - topping the previous day's high of 32C (89.6F) at Kew Gardens.
The UK Health Security Agency issued an amber heat health alert across England until 9pm on Sunday - apart from in the North East, which is under a lower yellow alert.
Read more:
This heatwave could be more dangerous than the one last month
What is a 'heat dome' - and how long will Britain's hot spell last?
The weather has been warm enough to be classed as a heatwave in some parts of England and Wales, which have had three consecutive days at or above their threshold temperatures.
The hot weather follows a cool and wet summer for much of the UK.
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The Met Office's Neil Armstrong said: "An active tropical cyclone season in the North Atlantic has helped to amplify the pattern across the North Atlantic, pushing the jet stream well to the north of the UK, allowing some very warm air to be drawn north.
"It's a marked contrast to much of meteorological summer, when the UK was on the northern side of the jet stream with cooler air and more unsettled weather."