'Exceptionally warm' weather forecast for next couple of days

Forecasters predict "exceptionally warm" weather will be experienced in the coming days across southern England. The Met Office has reported that temperatures will rise significantly over the next couple of days, peaking at 27C to 28C in parts of the South East on Friday. Thursday is expected to be a largely dry day, with temperatures ranging from the low-20s in most of England and Wales.

However, further to the north-west, a cold front with rain is forecast to arrive by Thursday afternoon, gradually transitioning to mixed conditions over the weekend.

The current dry spell, which includes London and the South East, has been exacerbated by an extremely dry spring and summer, as well as multiple heatwaves, placing additional strain on water resources. Met Office deputy chief forecaster Dan Holley stated that once early fog patches dissipate in the south, Friday will be notably warm for late September, particularly in the south-east region closest to a high-pressure area near the continent.

As the cold front weakens and moves southeastwards overnight into Saturday, temperatures are expected to fall back toward average levels over the weekend, leading to a mix of weather conditions. The Met Office has also indicated potential increasing wet and windy weather over the following week, with signals suggesting a period of rain and strong winds starting from Tuesday and Wednesday.

While the specifics remain uncertain, a deep low-pressure system could pass near the UK during the initial part of next week, potentially causing coastal impacts in the west and south-west due to high spring tides.