London faced a series of morning thunderstorms and wet weather conditions after experiencing a rare and unseasonably warm late-September tropical night across southern England, according to weather forecasts from BBC Weather and the Met Office.
The capital sweltered in humid conditions after temperatures peaked at a high of 28C on Tuesday afternoon. Rather than cooling off overnight, temperatures remained exceptionally high, refusing to drop below 20C across inner London areas. The Met Office recorded an unusually high 21.8C at 2am at St James’s Park.
Weather Systems Drive Heavy Rain and Unsettled Start
Meteorological X account @TheSnowDreamer noted that the “historically late” tropical night is “unknown for the time of year.” While Heathrow Airport fell just short at 19.9C, inner London locations easily maintained the threshold required to qualify as a tropical night.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, BBC Weather forecaster Chris Fawkes warned commuters and residents to expect heavy bursts of rain following the dry spell. “We’ve got an unsettled start to the day,” Fawkes said. “Low pressure to the north-west of the UK is driving across the country. For many of us it’s going to be a wet start to the morning.”
Temperature Forecasts and Regional Impact
The South-East experienced a very mild start to the morning, with temperatures in Ess*x lingering around 21C as early as 6am. Following the morning downpours and expected thunderstorms between 9am and 10am, afternoon temperatures across London are projected to climb back up to a warm 25C or 26C.
Meteorologists explain that the sudden shift comes as low-pressure weather fronts sweep across the north-west of the United Kingdom, colliding with lingering warm air masses to bring brief but heavy bursts of rain to regions that have recently experienced extended dry conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tropical night?
A tropical night is a meteorological term defined by nighttime air temperatures not dropping below 20C (68F) between sunset and sunrise. These events are relatively rare in the United Kingdom, particularly outside of the peak summer months.
How high did temperatures reach in London?
On Tuesday afternoon, temperatures in the capital reached 28C before staying above 20C overnight. Inner London areas, specifically St James’s Park, recorded an exceptionally high 21.8C at 2am.
What caused the London thunderstorms?
The thunderstorms and heavy bursts of rain were triggered by low-pressure systems moving across the north-west of the UK, which interacted with the warm, humid air mass lingering over southern England.
When did the thunderstorms occur?
BBC Weather and the Met Office forecasted the active thunderstorm window to hit London between 9am and 10am following a wet start to the morning.
