Britain could be heading for another burst of summer-like heat in September, with the Met Office warning that late-season heatwaves remain possible even as the country moves towards autumn.
The warning comes after a brutal run of weather that pushed temperatures above 37C last week and produced a provisional national high of 38.1C at Kew Gardens — the hottest day of the year so far.
The prospect of further heat is likely to intensify concerns over water supplies and wildfire risks. Almost three-quarters of England has been pushed into drought, alongside the whole of Wales, after July became the driest month on record.
The Met Office said its outlook for the first half of September showed “a chance that late-season hot spells or heatwaves develop, especially in the south”, with temperatures likely to remain at or above average.
The warning comes after firefighters spent much of last week battling major blazes across Britain. More than 100 firefighters were deployed in the West Midlands alone, while fires also swept through parts of south Wales, Norfolk and the New Forest.
At least 10 people were injured nationwide, with four people hospitalised after fires in the West Midlands prompted a major incident declaration.
The immediate outlook is cooler, with rain and thunderstorms possible as low pressure moves south and brings more unsettled conditions.
But the reprieve may be temporary. High pressure has dominated much of the summer, while unusually dry conditions have steadily depleted water reserves.
Tom Morgan, a Met Office meteorologist, said the south was facing its most changeable spell of weather since June, but warned that conditions could shift again.
For policymakers, another prolonged hot spell would pile pressure on an already stretched water system, while raising the prospect of further disruption from wildfires.
With reservoirs falling and drought spreading, Britain is heading into September with little room for another sustained assault from the heat.
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