Today: Sunny Intervals, Minimum Temperature: 9°C (49°F) Maximum Temperature: 17°C (63°F)
Search for a location Search Manchester - Weather warnings issued 14-day forecast Red Met Office Weather WarningsAmber Met Office Weather WarningsYellow Met Office Weather Warnings Forecast - Manchester Day Today , Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze Sunny Intervals Sunny Intervals , High17° 63° Low9° 49° , Wind speed10 mph17 km/h W10 mph17 km/hwesterly Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze Monday 21st SeptemberMon 21st , Light cloud and light winds Light Cloud Light Cloud , High19° 67° Low13° 56° , Wind speed2 mph4 km/h S2 mph4 km/hsoutherly Light cloud and light winds Tuesday 22nd SeptemberTue 22nd , Light cloud and light winds Light Cloud Light Cloud , High21° 69° Low14° 57° , Wind speed2 mph3 km/h SE2 mph3 km/hsouth-easterly Light cloud and light winds Wednesday 23rd SeptemberWed 23rd , Light rain and a gentle breeze Light Rain Light Rain , High17° 62° Low7° 45° , Wind speed9 mph15 km/h NW9 mph15 km/hnorth-westerly Light rain and a gentle breeze Thursday 24th SeptemberThu 24th , Sunny intervals and light winds Sunny Intervals Sunny Intervals , High19° 66° Low10° 51° , Wind speed6 mph10 km/h S6 mph10 km/hsoutherly Sunny intervals and light winds Friday 25th SeptemberFri 25th , Light rain and light winds Light Rain Light Rain , High21° 69° Low11° 53° , Wind speed5 mph8 km/h SE5 mph8 km/hsouth-easterly Light rain and light winds Saturday 26th SeptemberSat 26th , Sunny intervals and light winds Sunny Intervals Sunny Intervals , High20° 68° Low12° 54° , Wind speed4 mph7 km/h SE4 mph7 km/hsouth-easterly Sunny intervals and light winds Sunday 27th SeptemberSun 27th , Sunny intervals and light winds Sunny Intervals Sunny Intervals , High20° 68° Low12° 54° , Wind speed5 mph8 km/h SE5 mph8 km/hsouth-easterly Sunny intervals and light winds Monday 28th SeptemberMon 28th , Light rain showers and light winds Light Rain Showers Light Rain Showers , High19° 67° Low12° 54° , Wind speed6 mph10 km/h SE6 mph10 km/hsouth-easterly Light rain showers and light winds Tuesday 29th SeptemberTue 29th , Light rain showers and a gentle breeze Light Rain Showers Light Rain Showers , High19° 66° Low14° 57° , Wind speed9 mph15 km/h S9 mph15 km/hsoutherly Light rain showers and a gentle breeze Wednesday 30th SeptemberWed 30th , Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze Sunny Intervals Sunny Intervals , High20° 68° Low11° 53° , Wind speed8 mph13 km/h S8 mph13 km/hsoutherly Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze Thursday 1st OctoberThu 1st , Light rain showers and light winds Light Rain Showers Light Rain Showers , High19° 66° Low12° 53° , Wind speed6 mph10 km/h S6 mph10 km/hsoutherly Light rain showers and light winds Friday 2nd OctoberFri 2nd , Sunny
Monday: Light Cloud, Minimum Temperature: 13°C (56°F) Maximum Temperature: 19°C (67°F)
Search for a location Search Manchester - Weather warnings issued 14-day forecast Red Met Office Weather WarningsAmber Met Office Weather WarningsYellow Met Office Weather Warnings Forecast - Manchester Day Today , Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze Sunny Intervals Sunny Intervals , High17° 63° Low9° 49° , Wind speed10 mph17 km/h W10 mph17 km/hwesterly Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze Monday 21st SeptemberMon 21st , Light cloud and light winds Light Cloud Light Cloud , High19° 67° Low13° 56° , Wind speed2 mph4 km/h S2 mph4 km/hsoutherly Light cloud and light winds Tuesday 22nd SeptemberTue 22nd , Light cloud and light winds Light Cloud Light Cloud , High21° 69° Low14° 57° , Wind speed2 mph3 km/h SE2 mph3 km/hsouth-easterly Light cloud and light winds Wednesday 23rd SeptemberWed 23rd , Light rain and a gentle breeze Light Rain Light Rain , High17° 62° Low7° 45° , Wind speed9 mph15 km/h NW9 mph15 km/hnorth-westerly Light rain and a gentle breeze Thursday 24th SeptemberThu 24th , Sunny intervals and light winds Sunny Intervals Sunny Intervals , High19° 66° Low10° 51° , Wind speed6 mph10 km/h S6 mph10 km/hsoutherly Sunny intervals and light winds Friday 25th SeptemberFri 25th , Light rain and light winds Light Rain Light Rain , High21° 69° Low11° 53° , Wind speed5 mph8 km/h SE5 mph8 km/hsouth-easterly Light rain and light winds Saturday 26th SeptemberSat 26th , Sunny intervals and light winds Sunny Intervals Sunny Intervals , High20° 68° Low12° 54° , Wind speed4 mph7 km/h SE4 mph7 km/hsouth-easterly Sunny intervals and light winds Sunday 27th SeptemberSun 27th , Sunny intervals and light winds Sunny Intervals Sunny Intervals , High20° 68° Low12° 54° , Wind speed5 mph8 km/h SE5 mph8 km/hsouth-easterly Sunny intervals and light winds Monday 28th SeptemberMon 28th , Light rain showers and light winds Light Rain Showers Light Rain Showers , High19° 67° Low12° 54° , Wind speed6 mph10 km/h SE6 mph10 km/hsouth-easterly Light rain showers and light winds Tuesday 29th SeptemberTue 29th , Light rain showers and a gentle breeze Light Rain Showers Light Rain Showers , High19° 66° Low14° 57° , Wind speed9 mph15 km/h S9 mph15 km/hsoutherly Light rain showers and a gentle breeze Wednesday 30th SeptemberWed 30th , Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze Sunny Intervals Sunny Intervals , High20° 68° Low11° 53° , Wind speed8 mph13 km/h S8 mph13 km/hsoutherly Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze Thursday 1st OctoberThu 1st , Light rain showers and light winds Light Rain Showers Light Rain Showers , High19° 66° Low12° 53° , Wind speed6 mph10 km/h S6 mph10 km/hsoutherly Light rain showers and light winds Friday 2nd OctoberFri 2nd , Sunny
Tropical Depression Six forms over the North Atlantic, forecast to strengthen into Tropical Storm Fay
Satellite image of Tropical Depression 6 at UTC on September 19, 2026. Credit: NOAA/GOES-19, Zoom Earth, The Watchers Tropical Depression Six formed southwest of the Azores on September 19, with one minute-maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h (35 mph) at UTC, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). At UTC on September 19, its center was located approximately 845 km (525 miles) southwest of the Azores, with an estimated minimum central pressure of 1 009 hPa. The depression was moving northward at 4 km/h (2 mph). The system was forecast to become a tropical storm within 24 hours, followed a brief strengthening period. If it does develop into a tropical storm, it will be named Fay and become the sixth named storm of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The initial intensity forecast placed the cyclone at tropical-storm strength, with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h (40 mph), by UTC on September 20. /NHC The NHC forecast further strengthening to 75 km/h (45 mph) by UTC on September 21, with that intensity maintained through UTC the same day. No coastal watches or warnings were in effect when the NHC issued its initial advisory, and the agency identified no hazards affecting land. The cyclone is forecast to remain over the open North Atlantic through its expected transition into a post-tropical remnant low on September 22. The depression was forecast to move generally northeastward during the first 24 to 36 hours following the September 19 advisory, before turning southwest around September 21. According to the NHC, a trough to the north was expected to weaken the ridge northeast of the cyclone, allowing the initial northeastward movement. The ridge was then forecast to rebuild around 48 hours into the forecast period, redirecting the system southwestward. The NHC forecast that the cyclone would move into a somewhat more favorable environment between two areas of strong wind shear, allowing a brief period of intensification. After approximately 36 hours, stronger shear associated with the trough to the north was expected to disrupt the cyclone’s organization and lead to gradual weakening. Vertical wind shear refers to changes in wind speed or direction with height. The official forecast reduced maximum sustained winds to 65 km/h (40 mph) by UTC on September 22. /NHC The cyclone was forecast to become a post-tropical remnant low by UTC on September 22, with maximum sustained winds decreasing to 55 km/h (35 mph). The NHC expected the remnant circulation to move southwestward on September 23, with sustained winds forecast to drop near 45 km/h (30 mph). Dissipation was forecast by UTC on September 24.
Lightning strike kills 19-year-old hiker and injures multiple on Mount Timpanogos, Utah
A 19-year-old hiker was killed and several others injured when lightning struck a small structure near the summit of Mount Timpanogos, where the group had taken shelter from an approaching thunderstorm on Sept. 18, according to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office. The UCSO Search and Rescue Team responded to the incident at around MDT ( UTC) on September 18. Working with other responding agencies, personnel provided medical assistance and worked to evacuate those affected. The sheriff’s office said the summit location and severe weather complicated the rescue operation. The 19-year-old man sustained critical injuries and was pronounced deceased despite efforts to render aid, the sheriff’s office said. The sheriff’s office warned that small structures, including sheds and similar shelters, do not provide adequate protection from lightning. Hikers were advised to check weather forecasts before setting out, monitor changing conditions and allow enough time to leave exposed mountain terrain before thunderstorms develop or approach. The National Weather Service (NWS) advises people who hear thunder to seek shelter immediately inside a substantial building or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle. The same severe weather setup also spawned a tornado that touched down east of Fruit Heights, Utah, at approximately LT ( UTC) on September 18, 2026, as severe thunderstorms moved across Davis County and surrounding areas. Rain and damage was reported in the affected areas. Tornado touches down near Francis Peak in Davis County, Utah References: 1 Hikers struck by lightning – UCSO – September 18, 2026 Rishav Kothari I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
Before-and-after images show effects of rain in drought-hit England and Wales
Clissold Park in north-east London in mid-September. Photograph: Jill Mead/The Guardian View image in fullscreen Clissold Park in north-east London in mid-September. Photograph: Jill Mead/The Guardian Before-and-after images show effects of rain in drought-hit England and Wales Much of the UK is still officially in drought after its hottest summer on record, but grasslands are slowly recovering their colour The landscapes of southern England and Wales are slowly regaining their colour after this summer’s extreme heat. The UK’s hottest summer on record left the south of the country dried out and brown, making the impact of the drought particularly visual. As autumn begins, large parts of the UK are still officially in drought. And even if autumn is wetter than normal, some could still be in drought in the spring, according to the Environment Agency. View image in fullscreen Clissold Park, in north-east London, at the end of July. Photograph: Richard Barnes/AlamyBut some rain has returned, and with it the green, to the relief of many. Darren Share, the director of the royal parks, which manages Hyde Park and St James Park among others, recalls: “The grass was completely scorched off across all of our park network, it was quite shocking. The grass level had almost turned to dust. “We’ve had heatwaves in the past but they’ve only been for short periods of time. The grass dies off, we get the rain again and then everything starts coming back quite quickly. This time it was just one [heatwave] after another.” View image in fullscreen People playing cricket at Perry Hall Park in Birmingham in mid-August, after the fifth heatwave of the summer. Photograph: /AlamyView image in fullscreen The cricket pitches at Perry Hall Park in mid-September. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The GuardianThe extreme conditions not only changed the physical features of the parks, he said. “You could see that people were using the parks completely differently.” Visitor numbers decreased significantly during the day and many sporting and volunteering activities were cancelled because of health and safety concerns. The royal parks are not yet in full bloom again, but the difference between now and peak summer is stark. Share attributes the rapid regrowth to the resilience of grass. “I’m looking at the parks and seeing the grass come back to green. We’re very lucky that grass can tolerate that level of heat and will regenerate like we’re seeing now,” he said.
A New Polar Vortex Is Emerging Over the North Pole, With a Winter 2026/2027 Disruption Risk
A new Polar Vortex is now forming over the North Pole, with rapid stratospheric cooling and a pressure drop already visible in the latest data. It is starting the season stronger than last year, but the long-range forecasts show a very different signal for Winter 2026/2027. New seasonal trends agree on a notable slowdown of the Polar Vortex around mid-winter, with weakening winds and rising pressure in the stratosphere. A strong Super El Niño is also developing in the Pacific, adding another factor affecting the Polar Vortex winter development. In this article, I will look at the new Polar Vortex development from Fall to Winter 2026/2027, the Super El Niño connection, and what a major disruption or a Polar Vortex collapse would bring for winter weather across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Polar Vortex: The Engine of Winter Circulation To keep it simple, the Polar Vortex is the broad winter circulation over the Northern (and Southern) Hemispheres. You can imagine the Polar Vortex as a spinning wall over the polar regions, rising from the surface into the stratosphere (over 50 km/ 30 miles high), keeping the cold polar air inside. As you can see in the image below, the Polar Vortex is divided into two layers that we monitor each winter: the stratosphere and the troposphere. The first is at a higher altitude, and the second is at a lower altitude. The Polar Vortex rises high through both layers, but with different shapes, strengths, and impacts. The upper (stratospheric) part of the Polar Vortex is more symmetrical and stronger, as it spins more freely higher above the ground. But the lower structure is much more uneven and “wobbly.” This is due to the influence of terrain and mountains, along with strong pressure systems that act as obstacles in the flow. In the image below, you can see a true 3D analysis of the stratospheric Polar Vortex, which I made from the GFS forecast data for October 1st, just for a visual example. I regularly use this approach operationally, as it’s a great way to visualize the actual Polar Vortex structure in the stratosphere, between 12-52 km (7.5-32 miles) altitude. The vertical size is greatly increased to make it easier to analyze the true state of the Polar Vortex: any deformations in the structure, temperature patterns in the stratosphere, core development toward lower levels, and potential weather interactions. As you can see in the example image below, at around 5 km (3 miles) altitude, the Polar Vortex is much more deformed.