• Photographer Ross Jennings snapped Northern Lights over Cornwall last night
• Met Office says there’s a chance the stunning display will be out again tonight

By Shivali Best For Mailonline

Published: 08:08 EDT, 14 September 2023 | Updated: 08:08 EDT, 14 September 2023

The UK is told to prepare for scorching temperatures with the hottest day of the year forecast for this weekend as September’s heatwave reaches it’s peak at 33C. 

Despite this morning’s patchy fog in the east, the Met Office said temperatures across the UK will rise under largely sunny skies as the day continues.

Tomorrow remains hot and humid with plenty of sunshine, though some isolated thundery showers are possible in the west.

Temperatures reached 32C in Kew Gardens, London yesterday, making it the hottest September day since 2016 – just 0.2C short of the hottest day of the year.

The ‘unseasonably’ high temperatures come as a welcome change to the miserable weather which plagued July and August.

Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: ‘High pressure is situated to the southeast of the UK, which is bringing more settled conditions and temperatures well above average for the time of year.

‘While the highest temperatures are expected in the south, heatwave conditions are likely across much of England and Wales especially, with parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland also likely to see some unseasonably high temperatures.’

September’s heatwave is likely to peak on Saturday with temperatures rising as high as 33C in London, although further north will be cooler. 

This would make it the hottest day of the year, beating 32.2C in June.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber health alert that will remain in place until Sunday evening at 9pm. 

The health alert means there’s an increased risk to people above the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.     

Although temperatures have risen this high before in September, it is unusual for the heat to last so long with the Met Office predicting five to six days above 30C for some areas. 

There is also a chance of tropical nights in the south, defined as having temperatures over 20C. 

This is expected to be ‘the last dose of summer’ with more showers forecast and temperatures expected to slowly decrease into the new week. 

September’s heatwave is being driven by tropical storms pushing a high pressure system over the UK, with the jet stream having moved to the north and bending into what is known as an omega blocking pattern. 

Named after the Greek letter omega because of its shape, this system occurs when an area of high pressure gets stuck between two areas of low-pressure to the west and east and also slightly south. 

This has brought torrential rain and flooding for Spain and Greece but hot, dry and clear conditions for the UK and central Europe. 

Met Office chief meteorologist 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 the much of meteorological summer, when the UK was on the northern side of the jet stream with cooler air and more unsettled weather.’ 

The Met Office defines a heatwave as three consecutive days of a particular region exceeding a given threshold, which varies around the UK. 

For Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Cornwall and northern England, the threshold is 25C; for Somerset, Hampshire and the Welsh Borders, 26C; the south coast, East Anglia and the East Midlands, 27C; and for London and the home counties the threshold is 28C. 

Soaring temperatures in the UK pose a ‘serious health risk’, experts have warned amid fears heatwave-related injuries and illnesses will pile pressure on the already overstretched NHS.

Britain could enjoy the hottest day of the year so far today as temperatures are expected to soar to 33C (91F) after some areas entered an official heatwave for the first time since June.

But health experts fear great swathes of the population, especially the elderly and those with dementia, will be hit by heat-related sickness — increasing demand for NHS services.

NHS buildings are already ‘ill-equipped’ to deal with the mercury rising to levels normally reserved for the early summer months, with hospitals frequently experiencing overheating incidents, with some even being forced to cancel operations or shut wards when temperatures soar. 

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has upgraded its heat health alert to amber across every region of England apart from the North East, where a yellow alert is in place.

The six-day alert, which began yesterday and will run until Sunday night, warns of higher death rates and ‘significant impacts’ on vulnerable people and the NHS.

Dr Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, told MailOnline: ‘We know that climate change is making our summers hotter, and society needs to acknowledge and be alive to the serious health risk that extreme heat presents.

‘Last summer we saw temperatures in excess of 40 degrees Celsius and there were more than 3,000 excess deaths associated with the heat.

‘Hot weather is of particular risk to people who are frail or suffering from dementia who may be less able to respond to their body’s own warning signs.

‘People experiencing mental ill health – especially those taking anti-psychotic medication – are also disproportionately affected, similarly people experiencing homelessness who may not be able to find shelter or easy access to water.’

He added: ‘Our advice would be to ensure that people check on anyone who is older, has existing health problems or frailties.

‘Try to stay out of the heat as much as possible and keep hydrated by drinking lots of non-alcoholic fluids.’

Dr Layla McCay, director of policy at the NHS Confederation, said: ‘Extreme weather can put added pressure on the NHS in terms of demand and affect the health of some people. 

‘Extreme heat or cold can also put additional pressure on often antiquated and ill-equipped NHS buildings and estates.

‘Temperatures this summer have not yet reached extremes, but health leaders would still encourage the public to stay safe in the sun and keep hydrated during the current warm weather.’

One major concern, heat exhaustion is triggered by the body being unable to cool itself down.

It can cause dizziness, excessive sweating and lead to potentially fatal heat stroke. 

The Met Office said areas in West Yorkshire, Cornwall, Devon and Wales hit heatwave criteria yesterday, with more regions expected to be added to that list today.

While the hottest UK temperature recorded yesterday was 30.7C (87.3F) in West Sussex, forecasters said a new record is likely either today or tomorrow.

Some 13 weather stations have now marked this period as an official heatwave, which is at least three days in a row with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold — a figure which varies by region.

It has seen autumn begin in an unseasonably warm fashion after a disappointing summer when Britain endured its sixth wettest July since records began. 

A spokesperson for UKHSA also told MailOnline today: ‘We may begin to see some health impacts across the wider population, and an increase in risk to health for individuals aged over 65 years or those with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

‘The UKHSA Adverse Weather and Health Plan has guidance for the NHS and care home managers or those who look after vulnerable people. 

‘It outlines the key areas where the public sector, independent sector, voluntary sector, health and social care organisations and local communities can work together to maintain and improve planning and response during spells of hot weather.’

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, added: ‘Many of us will welcome the hot weather over the coming days, but it is important to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun and look out for those who are more vulnerable to the effects of heat.

‘We advise you to check on older family members, friends, or neighbours and those with heart or lung conditions.

‘Staying hydrated and keeping cool is crucial for everyone during hot weather, while enjoying the sun.’

If the hottest day of 2023 is achieved this week, it would be the first time since 2016 — and before that the 1950s — that the UK’s warmest day of the year has happened in September.

In addition, the highest temperature of the year has happened in September in just four years over the last century.

It comes as the Alzheimer’s Society also issued its own warning this morning of the effects of hot weather on people living with dementia. 

For those living with dementia and memory problems, dehydration is a ‘common challenge’, the charity said and advised families and carers could help by leaving glasses or jugs of water within easy reach.

Sharing a drink with the person, leaving reminders to drink and providing high water content foods, were among other key aids suggested. 

Jelly Drops, or ‘water sweets’ are another alternative way to help stay hydrated and help boost daily water intake. 

The colourful sweets, supported by Alzheimer’s Society, are bite-sized, sugar-free sweets containing 95 per cent water and added electrolytes.

Anna Smith, head of involvement at Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘People should absolutely enjoy the nice weather we’re finally having, but it’s important to note that high temperatures can lead to severe health problems for people with dementia unless they take special precautions to keep cool and well-hydrated.

‘People with dementia may forget to drink enough fluids and wear suitable clothing. As the temperatures rise this week, we are urging families and carers to check in on people with dementia to make sure they are staying hydrated, wearing light clothes and keeping out of direct sun.

‘Popping round to check on a neighbour, friend or family member with dementia can help keep them safe during the hot weather.’

From last year’s Storm Eunice to 1990’s Storm Daria, many of us will remember some of the worst storms to have hit the UK in recent history.

Now, the Met Office has revealed the names of the storms set to batter Britain in the upcoming season, which runs from September 2023 through to the end of August 2024.

Agnes, Ciaran, and Elin are among the new names chosen to honour those who work to keep people safe in times of extreme weather.

Meanwhile, Minnie has made the list in honour of the famous Beano character, Minnie the Minx. 

So, do you share a name with any of the upcoming storms? Scroll down to see the full list of the storms set to batter Britain. 

Storms are named by the Met Office when they’re deemed to have the potential to cause ‘medium’ or ‘high’ impacts in the UK, Ireland, or the Netherlands.

Wind is the main consideration for naming a storm, although rain and snow are also taken into account, according to the Met Office.

‘This is the ninth year of us naming storms and we do it because it works,’ Mr Lang said.

‘Naming storms helps to ease communication of severe weather and provides clarity when people could be impacted by the weather.’

Storms are named alphabetically – but don’t expect to see any names beginning with Q, U, X, Y or Z.

‘To ensure we are in line with the US National Hurricane Centre naming conventions, we are not going to include names which begin with the letters Q, U, X, Y and Z,’ the Met Office explains on its website.

‘This will maintain consistency for official storm naming in the North Atlantic.’

Usually, the list is made up of alternating male and female names.

But the Met Office has broken tradition this year, to enable the inclusion of some of the more popular submitted names.

Agnes will be the first storm to strike Britain this season, followed by Babet.

The third storm – Storm Ciarán – was submitted by the public, but is also the name of Ciarán Fearon, who works for the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.

‘With the effects of climate change, we are more aware than ever of how weather can affect us all in every aspect of our daily lives,’ Mr Fearon said.

‘In my role with the Department for Infrastructure I work closely with local communities in Northern Ireland and multi-agency partners to help keep everyone as warned and informed as possible.

‘We need to respect each weather event and this work, particularly during periods of severe weather and storms, helps to ensure that we are all as well prepared as possible to help reduce the impact of such events.’

Beano fans will be pleased to learn that Storm Minnie is also included on the list, following in the footsteps of Storm Dennis, which was named after Dennis the Menace in 2020.

If your name isn’t on the list, you’ll be happy to hear that you can submit it for consideration for next year’s list. 

‘Everyone is also welcome to suggest names for future consideration via email to nameourstorms@metoffice.gov.uk,’ the Met Office added. 

Summer arrives in Spain… with wheelie bins and motorbikes washed down the streets in floods and giant hailstone storms (while Britain bakes in 27C sunshine!)

• The brutal storm lashed the south-east region of Murcia
• Scenes sparked nearly 30 emergency calls and left families trapped in homes

By Natalia Penza

Published: 05:57 EDT, 23 June 2023 | Updated: 11:32 EDT, 23 June 2023