Despite a warm end to last week for some, summer memories are firmly behind us as we prepare for what is set to be a blustery autumn.
Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning amid concerns of flooding and heavy rains across England and Wales on Thursday and Friday.
Meteorologist Liam Eslick said: “There may be odd, heavier bursts just clipping the South East as a system does slowly start to move away, but it’s a much drier day for most people.”
London weather forecast this week
According to the latest Met Office forecast, temperatures will drop to 14C in the capital on Friday (September 27), when the weather warning is active.
Showery spells and a brisk wind are also forecast, but Saturday could be a little more settled and bright.
Will the UK have a heatwave?
Unfortunately, there are no signs of any more warm spells coming up.
Amid forecast colder weather, you might have to wait until 2025 for the next official heatwave.
“A UK heatwave threshold is met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold,” the Met Office says of the definition.
“Heatwaves are most common in summer when high pressure develops across an area. High-pressure systems are slow moving and can persist over an area for a prolonged period of time, such as days or weeks.”
Will there be an Indian summer?
“The Met Office Meteorological Glossary first published in 1916, defines it as ‘a warm, calm spell of weather occurring in autumn, especially in October and November’,” the weather body says.
This states: “Typical autumn weather will probably affect the UK with a mix of weather types through the first half of October.
“Periods of wet, unsettled weather will likely be broken up by the odd short spell of more settled, drier weather.
“Overall, wetter than average conditions are expected during this period, especially for the south. Temperatures are most likely to be close to or slightly above average.”
Where does the phrase Indian summer come from?
This weather phenomenon is typically marked by sunny, clear skies and unseasonably warm temperatures.
The term is used primarily in North America but has also gained popularity in other English-speaking countries to describe similar weather patterns.
The exact origin of the phrase “Indian summer” is somewhat unclear, but it dates back to the 18th century. Several theories exist about how the term came into use:
- Native American connections: One theory suggests that the term is linked to the Native Americans (referred to as “Indians” by European settlers). During this warm spell, Native Americans may have used the extended good weather to finish harvesting crops or hunting before the onset of winter. The warm conditions could have made travel or work easier during a time of year typically associated with colder weather.
- Colonial America: Another theory posits that early European settlers in America noticed these warm spells and associated them with the regions where Native Americans lived, thus calling it “Indian summer”.
- Atmospheric conditions: Some interpretations suggest the term is metaphorical, referencing the “mystical” or unexpected nature of such warm spells, much like how European settlers viewed the indigenous people as mysterious or exotic.
- Other cultural connections: The phrase has also been suggested to reference trade routes or warfare, where the extended warm weather allowed for continued activities like trading between settlers and Native Americans or military campaigns.
The first recorded use of “Indian summer” in print was by French-American writer St. John de Crèvecoeur in 1778. His letter described a brief spell of warm, pleasant weather following the first frosts of autumn in the American colonies.