September 2025 brought a change from the settled and warm conditions that characterised much of the summer, which itself was named the hottest on record.
The month began with widespread rain across the UK, as a succession of low-pressure systems swept frontal rainbands over the country. These systems brought not only persistent rainfall but also periods of heavy and thundery downpours, with only brief interludes of high pressure and settled weather. While there was a short-lived dry spell for many between the 22nd and 26th, heavy rain returned to close out the month on the 27th.
Strong winds were also a feature at various points, adding to the unsettled feel. Temperatures fluctuated throughout September, with the first and third weeks seeing above average values, while the second and fourth weeks were notably cooler. The end of the month saw a drop in temperatures, with rural areas experiencing the first frosts of the season.
Our monthly stats are online: Meteorological autumn has started with temperatures around average for many.
— Met Office (@metoffice) October 1, 2025
September 2025 was a wet month for much of the UK, though not enough to trouble any longstanding records.
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Rainfall: A notably wet month for many
By mid-month, England, Wales and Northern Ireland had all exceeded their average September rainfall totals. By the end of the month, Wales had recorded 174% of its average September rainfall, although this did not threaten any long-standing records. Scotland, while relatively drier compared to the rest of the UK, still provisionally recorded above average rainfall.
Across the UK, September provisionally saw 132% of the average rainfall, with the highest totals compared to average in northern England and Wales. Cumbria was particularly affected, recording 198% of its average September rainfall and experiencing its fourth wettest September in a series back to 1836. This stands in stark contrast to the drier conditions seen in August, when England recorded just 42% of its average rainfall and Scotland 83%.
Temperature: A balance of warm and cool spells
Temperatures during September were variable, with warm spells in the first and third weeks offset by cooler conditions in the second and fourth weeks. The UK’s provisional average temperature for the month was 12.8°C, just 0.1°C below the long-term average.
This represents a return to more typical autumnal conditions after the record-breaking warmth of the summer, when the UK’s mean temperature from June to August stood at 16.1°C, 1.5°C above the long-term average and the highest on record.
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Sunshine: Slightly above average for most
Despite the unsettled weather, sunshine hours were slightly above average for the UK, with 110% of the average sunshine hours recorded. However, Wales and Northern Ireland saw slightly below average sunshine, reflecting the cloudier and wetter conditions experienced there.
Regional breakdown
East Anglia
- Average maximum temperature: 19.8°C
- Mean temperature: 14.9°C
- Sunshine hours: 183.1
- Rainfall: 47.5 mm
East Anglia experienced a relatively mild September, with temperatures close to the seasonal norm. Sunshine hours were above average, and rainfall was modest compared to other regions, reflecting the region’s tendency to be sheltered from the heaviest rain bands.
England Southeast and Central South
- Average maximum temperature: 19.0°C
- Mean temperature: 14.4°C
- Sunshine hours: 176.4
- Rainfall: 78.0 mm
The Southeast and Central South saw slightly cooler and wetter conditions than East Anglia, but sunshine hours remained above average. Rainfall totals were higher than in August, reflecting the more unsettled weather pattern.
Midlands
- Average maximum temperature: 18.2°C
- Mean temperature: 13.7°C
- Sunshine hours: 152.3
- Rainfall: 97.7 mm
The Midlands experienced a wet September, with rainfall totals well above the long-term average. Temperatures were slightly below average, and sunshine hours were lower than in the southern regions.
England East and Northeast
- Average maximum temperature: 17.8°C
- Mean temperature: 13.3°C
- Sunshine hours: 152.5
- Rainfall: 100.3 mm
Eastern and north-eastern England saw a cool and wet September, with rainfall totals more than four times higher than in August. Sunshine hours were close to average.
England Northwest and North Wales
- Average maximum temperature: 16.4°C
- Mean temperature: 12.7°C
- Sunshine hours: 119.9
- Rainfall: 200.5 mm
This region was particularly affected by the wet weather, with rainfall totals reaching 200.5 mm, more than three times the August total. Sunshine hours were well below average, reflecting the persistent cloud cover.
England Southwest and South Wales
- Average maximum temperature: 17.4°C
- Mean temperature: 13.4°C
- Sunshine hours: 151.6
- Rainfall: 152.2 mm
The Southwest and South Wales also saw a wet September, with rainfall totals more than double those of August. Temperatures were slightly below average, and sunshine hours were modest.
Scotland North
- Average maximum temperature: 14.6°C
- Mean temperature: 11.1°C
- Sunshine hours: 117.7
- Rainfall: 117.4 mm
Northern Scotland experienced a fairly dry September, with rainfall totals slightly below average and temperatures closer to average.
Scotland East
- Average maximum temperature: 15.3°C
- Mean temperature: 11.2°C
- Sunshine hours: 127.1
- Rainfall: 89.2 mm
Eastern Scotland was cooler and wetter than in August, while sunshine hours were slightly above average.
Scotland West
- Average maximum temperature: 15.1°C
- Mean temperature: 11.6°C
- Sunshine hours: 107.1
- Rainfall: 177.7 mm
Western Scotland saw a wet and cool September, with rainfall totals well above average and sunshine hours very slightly below average.
Context and comparison with August
The contrast between September and August could hardly be more pronounced. August 2025 was marked by heatwaves, drought conditions, and below average rainfall for much of the UK. In contrast, September brought a return to unsettled weather, with frequent rain, strong winds, and cooler temperatures.
Dr Emily Carlisle, a scientist at the Met Office, said: “In a change from recent months, September brought frequent rain as a succession of low-pressure systems brought frontal rain across the country for the first few weeks of the month. We’ve also seen some heavy downpours at times from thunderstorms.
“While there have been drier interludes at times, not least further south in recent days, September 2025 goes down as a wet month, with temperatures and sunshine hours generally closer to average.”
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