Autumn 2014 set to be third warmest on record

This autumn is on course to be the third warmest on record for the UK but rainfall is close to average, according to early statistics from the Met Office.

The mean temperature from 1 September to 25 November, then assuming average conditions for the last few days of the season, is 10.8C, which is 1.4C above the long-term (1981-2010) average.

This means it currently ranks behind 2006 (11.4C) and 2011 (11.3C) in the digital UK records dating back to 1910.

Looking at individual countries, England stands out as the warmest relative to the long-term averages, whilst Northern Ireland was the least mild. This autumn is the third warmest for all UK countries apart from Northern Ireland, where it is the 9^th warmest.

The mild conditions through autumn follow on from a generally warm year overall, with all months except August having seen above average temperatures. The Met Office will make an early statement on the temperature for 2014 next week.

* Note that early autumn figures use statistics from 1 September to 25 November, then assume average conditions to the end of the season.

Rainfall has been close to average for the season – despite record-breaking dry conditions across the UK in September. The rainfall of October and November has almost offset the very dry September for many areas, with a few areas having ‘caught up’ to the whole-Autumn long-term average.

Sunshine totals for the season are also close to average.

For November so far (to the 25^th of the month), it has been the joint fourth warmest for the UK in our records back to 1910. Like most individual months this year, it has been warmer than average but not remarkably so.

It has also been wetter than average for the UK, but not record-breakingly so.

** Early November statistics include figures from 1-25 November. Final numbers for the month will change after the final few days have been included.

© Met Office