The UK is forecast to see a brief spell of unusually warm weather before an Atlantic low brings heavy rain and strong winds from Tuesday evening into Wednesday. The system is undergoing rapid intensification, known as explosive cyclogenesis, and could meet the definition of a “weather bomb”; forecasters say severe gusts are possible, though no weather warnings were in place when the article was published.

Temperatures may reach 27C on Tuesday, followed by highs around 24C on Wednesday and 21C later in the week. Many areas could get about 10mm of rain, with more than 40mm possible in isolated western hills, and exposed north-western coasts may see gusts above 50mph and large waves. The first named storm of the 2026/27 season would be Storm Austen; high pressure is expected to bring drier weather to much of the UK over the weekend. The forecast comes as drought conditions and hosepipe bans persist in parts of England, while Achnagart in the Highlands has had rain for 27 consecutive days.