London hits 28.1C as September ranks among UK's warmest

London experienced a peak temperature of 28.1C on September 29, contributing to a month that has been recorded as the UK's joint-fourth warmest since 1884. The Met Office reported a mean temperature of 14.6C across the UK for September, a figure that matches 2016 and 1949, and falls just below the records set in 2023 and 2006. This persistent warmth has been a theme throughout the year, with each of the last six months ranking in the UK's all-time top 10 for mean temperature.

Dry conditions persist in England

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Thunderstorms hit London morning after rare September tropical night

BBC Weather warned of rain between 9 am and 10 am on 30 September 2026 following overnight temperatures above 20 °C across the capital

While the UK as a whole received slightly more rainfall than average for September, the situation in England was significantly drier. The country recorded only 65 per cent of its typical rainfall for the month, with southern and eastern regions experiencing particularly low levels. Philip Duffy, chief executive of the Environment Agency, stated that the rainfall received was insufficient to reverse water deficits from a dry spring and a hot summer. He emphasised the ongoing need for reduced water consumption to aid drought recovery and conserve water for rivers, farmers, and wildlife.

Drought conditions are officially considered over only when groundwater, rivers, and reservoirs return to normal levels, a process that Mr Duffy indicated would require 'months of significant and sustained wet weather'. Currently, most of England and all of Wales are under drought conditions, with the exception of the North East, North West, and Yorkshire. This situation means that around 30 million people in England are subject to water use restrictions.

Heatwaves and associated deaths

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London sees 27°C heat on Tuesday, Barnet residents warned of warm night

The Met Office predicts a high of 27°C on Tuesday, an overnight low of 19°C, and rain on Wednesday morning across Barnet.

The year has seen multiple heatwaves, with five recorded events occurring in late May, late June, twice in July, and mid-August. The June heatwave prompted a rare red alert for extreme heat from the Met Office. The UK Health Security Agency has estimated that 2,877 deaths in England were linked to the heatwaves experienced in May and June. England also recorded its driest July since data collection began, receiving only 7mm of rain, which is 10 per cent of the long-term average.

The national drought group, comprising representatives from the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, and environmental bodies, continues to meet weekly to monitor risks and coordinate actions. Reservoir storage across England is currently at 56 per cent, nearly 19 percentage points below the average for this time of year.