Britain has witnessed its mildest Bonfire Night in recorded history, with unseasonably warm and humid conditions replacing the traditional chill of a November evening.
A Record-Breaking Night
This year's 5 November celebrations were unlike any other, as temperatures failed to drop significantly after dark. The mercury only fell to 14.4C (57.9F) in Teddington, southwest London, setting a new national record for the warmest Bonfire Night.
To find a similarly mild event, statisticians must look back nearly nine decades to 5 November 1938, when Gordon Castle in Scotland recorded a slightly cooler 13.9C. This year's reading officially surpasses that, cementing its place in the weather records.
The Meteorological Causes
Sky News weather producer Jo Robinson explained the unusual conditions. She attributed the warmth to a 'southerly flow' that has allowed temperatures to climb well above average both during the day and at night in recent times.
'We've also mostly been within a warm sector,' Robinson said, 'with rather cloudy skies, humid conditions, and some rain.' This weather pattern prevented the typical temperature plunge associated with early November nights.
The mild conditions were widespread, with daytime temperatures frequently reaching the mid-teens across the country this week. Chivenor in Devon recorded a high of 18.6C (65.5F) on Wednesday, significantly above the seasonal average of 12C in the South and 10C in the North.
Looking Ahead: A Return to Seasonal Norms
The Met Office has indicated that this spell of unseasonable warmth is unlikely to continue. In a statement on Thursday, the national weather service warned of changing conditions ahead.
'Looking ahead, model ensembles suggest a gradual decline in temperatures, with the most noticeable cooling in eastern areas,' the Met Office stated. This signals a return to more typical autumn weather patterns as we move further into November.
Traditionally, autumn in the UK sees temperatures cooling progressively from September through November, with shorter days and often stormier conditions becoming more frequent. This year's exceptionally mild Bonfire Night provides a striking contrast to these seasonal expectations.
