Introduction – From Summer Heat to Autumn Breezes
After one of the warmest summers on record, the UK is now shifting into a more familiar late-summer pattern. The forecast for the coming week—Sunday 31st August to Saturday 6th September 2025—is a mixed bag of showers, breezy conditions, and cooler evenings.
Daytime highs will mostly settle around 16–18 °C, with sunshine breaking through between unsettled spells. For many, this week marks the first true taste of autumn, with shorter daylight hours, cooler nights, and more frequent rain bands moving in from the Atlantic.
Sunrise and Sunset Trends Across the UK
The transition from August to September brings noticeably shorter days:
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London: Sunrise 6:06 AM → Sunset 8:00 PM (13h 54m daylight)
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Manchester: Sunrise 6:11 AM → Sunset 8:07 PM (13h 56m daylight)
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Edinburgh: Sunrise 6:15 AM → Sunset 8:15 PM (14h 0m daylight)
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Cardiff: Sunrise 6:19 AM → Sunset 8:11 PM (13h 52m daylight)
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Belfast: Sunrise 6:25 AM → Sunset 8:36 PM (14h 11m daylight)
By the end of this forecast period, sunset will creep closer to 7:45 PM in southern England, with evenings drawing in noticeably earlier.
Day-by-Day Forecast (31 August – 6 September 2025)
Sunday, 31 August 2025 – Breezy with Early Showers
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Conditions: Partly sunny and windy, with showers early in the day, especially in western regions.
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Temperatures: Highs 18 °C, lows 11 °C.
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Regional notes:
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England (South): Sunny intervals, breezy.
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North & Midlands: Cloud and a few showers.
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Scotland & NI: Early rain, drier later.
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Best window: Midday to late afternoon for outdoor activities.
Monday, 1 September 2025 – Cloud and Showers
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Conditions: Considerable cloudiness with scattered showers; breezy at times.
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Temperatures: Highs 17 °C, lows 10 °C.
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Regional notes:
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London & South East: Cloudy, isolated drizzle.
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Yorkshire & North East: Breezy with showers.
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Scotland: Damp, with rain moving in from the west.
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Travel note: Roads and motorways may see spray and reduced visibility in showers.
Tuesday, 2 September 2025 – Sunshine and Showers
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Conditions: Intervals of sunshine and cloud, with scattered showers across the UK.
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Temperatures: Highs 17 °C, lows 11 °C.
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Regional notes:
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South West & Wales: Frequent showers.
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Scotland Highlands: Rain spreading east.
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Northern Ireland: Brief brighter spells between rain bands.
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Lifestyle note: Ideal for flexible plans—carry an umbrella, but expect some dry breaks.
Wednesday, 3 September 2025 – Windier with Rain
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Conditions: Winds strengthen, with cloud cover and widespread showers—especially in the afternoon.
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Temperatures: Highs 17 °C, lows 10 °C.
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Regional notes:
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Western coasts: Heavier showers and gusty winds.
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Midlands & East England: Cloudy, lighter rain.
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Scotland: Windy across exposed areas.
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Commuter note: Busier cities (Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham) may face minor delays due to wet roads.
Thursday, 4 September 2025 – A Brighter Break
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Conditions: Partly sunny, drier overall with fewer showers.
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Temperatures: Highs 16 °C, lows 10 °C.
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Regional notes:
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South East England: Bright and dry.
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Scotland: Cloud with drier east coast.
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Wales & NI: Some showers linger, but less frequent.
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Best day of the week for outdoor plans.
Friday, 5 September 2025 – Breezy, Showers Return
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Conditions: Low cloud dominates, breezy with afternoon showers.
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Temperatures: Highs 17 °C, lows 11 °C.
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Regional notes:
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London & South: Cloudy, isolated showers.
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Yorkshire & North East: Showers and cloud.
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Scotland & NI: Rain spreading from the west.
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Sports note: Outdoor matches may face damp conditions.
Saturday, 6 September 2025 – Grey and Damp
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Conditions: Predominantly cloudy, with showers possible across the UK.
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Temperatures: Highs 18 °C, lows 11 °C.
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Regional notes:
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South West & Wales: Wettest conditions.
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North & Scotland: Cloud and drizzle.
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South East: Dull but drier than elsewhere.
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Outlook: A cool, grey weekend start—autumn knocking at the door.
Regional Breakdown – UK Weather This Week
England
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South East (London, Kent, Sussex): Drier spells, with highs near 18–20 °C midweek.
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Midlands (Birmingham, Nottingham): Cloudy with showers, especially Monday and Wednesday.
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North (Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle): Breezy, with showers spreading inland from the Irish Sea.
Scotland
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Central Belt (Edinburgh, Glasgow): Showers Monday and Wednesday, brighter Thursday.
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Highlands: Wettest region, particularly early and midweek.
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East Coast (Aberdeen, Dundee): Drier than the west, but still cloudy.
Wales
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North Wales: Frequent showers from the Irish Sea.
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South (Cardiff, Swansea): Cloudy with showers, but brighter spells possible Thursday.
Northern Ireland
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Belfast & East: Showers throughout the week, with brighter breaks Thursday.
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West & Derry: More persistent rain and wind, especially midweek.
City Highlights
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London: Cloudy but generally dry; highs 18–19 °C.
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Manchester: Intermittent showers all week, highs 17 °C.
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Birmingham: Cloudy, damp midweek; highs 17 °C.
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Edinburgh: Showers Monday & Wednesday, drier Thursday; highs 16–17 °C.
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Cardiff: Cloudy, some brighter spells; highs 17 °C.
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Belfast: Frequent showers, breezy midweek; highs 16 °C.
Lifestyle & Travel Impacts
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Commuters: Expect slick roads and occasional rail delays, especially Wednesday.
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Outdoor events: Best days for planning are Thursday and Sunday afternoon.
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Farmers: Rain improves soil moisture after a dry summer, but harvesting may be disrupted midweek.
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Tourists: Museums, castles, whisky distilleries, and indoor attractions provide good alternatives during showers.
Historical Context – UK Late August / Early September
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Average highs: 18–20 °C in England, 16–18 °C in Scotland, Wales & NI.
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Rainfall: Typically 10–12 wet days per month in September.
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2025 anomaly: Following a record-breaking hot summer, this week signals the return to seasonal normality—cooler, wetter, breezier.
Summary Table – UK Weather 31 Aug – 6 Sep 2025
| Day | Summary | High Temp | Best Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Breezy, early showers | 18 °C | South East |
| Monday | Cloud, scattered showers | 17 °C | Midlands |
| Tuesday | Sun & showers | 17 °C | East Coast |
| Wed | Windy, widespread rain | 17 °C | None |
| Thurs | Brighter, partly sunny | 16 °C | South East |
| Friday | Breezy, showers return | 17 °C | Midlands |
| Sat | Grey, damp | 18 °C | South East |
Final Thoughts – A Transitional Week Ahead
The UK enters the first week of September with autumn-like weather patterns: breezy conditions, scattered showers, and cloudy skies. While no severe storms are expected, Wednesday looks the wettest, while Thursday offers the best chance of dry and sunny intervals.
For most, this week is about adapting to shorter days and cooler evenings—a reminder that summer 2025 is truly behind us, and the UK is steadily heading into autumn.