Lundy Island, in the Bristol Channel off the north Devon coast, is facing closure unless it receives meaningful rainfall Famed for its puffins, the picture-perfect island of Lundy attracts birdwatchers from all over. But the island is on the cusp of being evacuated as water levels drop to the lowest levels ever, forcing residents to take drastic measures to ensure supplies do not run out. More …

This is an excellent description of how Autumn changes the patterns we’ve become so used to over the summer months, and how it manifests itself. As the Northern Hemisphere moves from summer into autumn, the North Atlantic atmosphere begins a seasonal reorganisation. Faster cooling at high latitudes strengthens the temperature contrast between polar and subtropical air, influencing the jet stream and creating a more favourable environment for mid-latitude weather systems. The transition is visible at the surface through shorter days, cooler nights and the first incursions of colder air, but some of the most important changes occur several kilometres above the ground. Across the North Atlantic, the large-scale circulation gradually shifts towards a more energetic cool-season pattern, with the jet stream exerting greater influence on the low-pressure systems, fronts and changing air masses that shape European autumn weather. This does not mean that storms begin on a particular date, nor does every autumn follow the same progression. Strong Atlantic activity can alternate with blocking highs and settled periods, yet the background environment generally becomes more favourable for active mid-latitude weather as the temperature difference between northern and southern latitudes grows. More …

We might pass 1969 and 2018 for the run of temperatures above 20 degC, but I don’t think it will stretch much further. This is a record that 2026 will not break. We are going to be under the influence of air from the North West, which will be much fresher. Autumn has arrived for certain. Acknowledgement to @metjam.co.uk

This is Facebook today. This is why we now discuss it here, in a space clear of idiots.

The period Jan - Sept 2026 is the warmest first 9 months of a year by far on the CET series. This is the ranking of the top 5 instances, which have all occured in the last 5 years. The record for Jan-Oct will almost certainly be beaten too, as the current warmest was in 2022 with a Jan-Oct mean of 12.10. The Jan-Nov period and the whole year will almost certainly be the warmest on record.