Met Office Reveals Heatwave Verdict as Greater Manchester Warms Up 2026

Key Points

• Greater Manchester is set to see temperatures reach about 23°C on Monday, September 14.
• Manchester is predicted to have warmer weather coming in following a period of cool and rainy weather.
• According to the Met Office, the temperature rise in September does not qualify as a heatwave.
• The temperatures are predicted to go down from Tuesday, September 15.
• Manchester is predicted to have temperatures of 18°C on Tuesday and about 16°C on Wednesday and Thursday.
• The North West region as a whole is predicted to have sunshine, rain and stronger winds for the latter part of the week.
• This period of warm weather is predicted to be short-lived rather than long-lasting.
• People living in Manchester and those who travel and organise events outdoors can expect a pleasant start to the week.

Manchester (Manchester Mirror) September 14, 2026 – Temperatures are expected to rise across the region as a warmer spell develops, with the Met Office forecasting highs of up to 23°C in Manchester.

The Met Office has forecast a short-lived rise in temperatures across Greater Manchester, with Manchester potentially reaching 23°C on Monday, but the conditions are not expected to qualify as an official heatwave.

The rise follows a period of changeable weather across the North West. Although temperatures are set to become noticeably milder, the Met Office’s assessment indicates that the increase will be temporary. Cooler conditions are expected to return from Tuesday, with sunshine, showers and stronger winds affecting the region later in the week.

The report was published by the Manchester Evening News in a story titled “Met Office issues heatwave verdict as Greater Manchester temperatures to hit 23C”. It stated that the Met Office had assessed the chances of the UK experiencing a heatwave during September as temperatures began to increase.

Will Greater Manchester reach 23°C?

The Met Office forecast indicates that temperatures in Greater Manchester could reach approximately 23°C on Monday, September 14. Manchester is expected to be among the warmer locations in the region during the brief spell.

A separate Met Office forecast for Manchester also listed a potential maximum daytime temperature of 23°C, with minimum temperatures of about 16°C overnight. Forecast conditions included sunny intervals, although cloud cover and a chance of rain remained possible at times.

Weather forecasts cited in the Manchester Evening News report suggested that temperatures would rise throughout Sunday, September 13, with the city region reaching about 22°C. The forecast then indicated a further increase on Monday, when Manchester could reach 23°C.

The warmer conditions are expected to be noticeable for people travelling to work, attending school or planning outdoor activities. However, the forecast does not suggest that Greater Manchester will experience sustained extreme heat.

Is the 23°C forecast an official heatwave?

The rise to 23°C is not expected to result in an official heatwave declaration for Greater Manchester.

The Met Office’s heatwave assessment is based on more than one warm day. The required threshold varies across the UK and depends on local climate conditions. A heatwave generally requires temperatures to reach or exceed the relevant threshold for at least three consecutive days.

The forecast described by the Manchester Evening News does not show that pattern. While temperatures may reach 23°C on Monday, they are expected to fall sharply from Tuesday. This means the forecast warmer spell is unlikely to satisfy the duration and temperature requirements associated with an official heatwave.

The distinction is important because a warm day is not automatically classified as a heatwave. An official heat-health warning would depend on the forecast meeting the relevant criteria and on any assessment issued through the appropriate national warning system.

The Met Office has previously explained that heatwave thresholds differ between regions. In Greater Manchester, the threshold used in an official assessment is lower than the levels recorded in some southern parts of England, but a period of sustained warmth is still required.

How long will the warmer weather last?

The warmer conditions are expected to last for only a short period.

According to the Manchester Evening News report, temperatures in Greater Manchester are expected to decline from Tuesday, September 15. Manchester could reach around 18°C on Tuesday, with highs falling to approximately 16°C on both Wednesday and Thursday.

This would represent a significant change from the 23°C forecast for Monday. The drop is expected to be accompanied by a more unsettled pattern, including sunshine and showers moving across the North West.

The Met Office’s wider outlook for the North West was quoted as saying: “Conditions will be variable over the next few days, with a fresher feel. Sunshine and showers are expected to move across the region, along with increasing winds.”

The wording suggests that the region will move away from the calmer and warmer conditions expected at the beginning of the week. The return of stronger winds may also make temperatures feel cooler, particularly in exposed areas and during the evening.

What is the forecast for Manchester after Monday?

Manchester is expected to see a clear fall in daytime temperatures after Monday’s peak.

The forecast reported by the Manchester Evening News gives the following broad pattern:

• Monday, September 14: Maximum temperature of about 23°C.
• Tuesday, September 15: Maximum temperature of about 18°C.
• Wednesday, September 16: Maximum temperature of about 16°C.
• Thursday, September 17: Maximum temperature of about 16°C.

The forecast is subject to change, as weather conditions can be updated when new observations and modelling information become available. The Met Office’s Manchester forecast also described the wider period as being close to average overall, while allowing for some warmer days and relatively cool nights.

The outlook therefore points to a short warm interval rather than a prolonged period of summer-like weather. Residents may experience pleasant conditions during the day on Monday, followed by a more typical early-autumn pattern.

Will Greater Manchester see sunshine and rain?

Greater Manchester is expected to see a mixture of sunshine and showers during the week.

The Met Office forecast for Manchester included sunny intervals and a chance of rain. A forecast for Salford also indicated a possible high of 23°C, with sunny intervals and a chance of rainfall.

From Tuesday onwards, the North West outlook is expected to become more changeable. Sunshine and showers may move through the area, while winds are forecast to increase. This combination could produce rapidly changing conditions, with periods of brighter weather followed by rain.

The conditions mean that residents planning outdoor activities should not assume that the warmer temperature will continue throughout the day. Even when daytime temperatures are mild, showers and wind could affect travel, sporting activities and outdoor events.

The weather may also feel different depending on location. Urban areas could feel warmer during sunny periods, while rural and exposed parts of Greater Manchester may feel cooler when winds strengthen.

What did the Manchester Evening News report?

The Manchester Evening News reported that the Met Office had issued its assessment of the likelihood of a September heatwave as temperatures began to rise.

The article stated that Greater Manchester could see temperatures increase to 23°C in the coming days. It also reported that the North West might experience warmer conditions on Sunday and into the early part of the following week.

The newspaper’s report said weather forecasts showed temperatures rising across the region on Sunday, with the city region reaching about 22°C. It then identified Monday as the likely peak of the brief warm spell, with Manchester potentially reaching 23°C.

The same report gave the expected decline from Tuesday, including highs of around 18°C on Tuesday and about 16°C on Wednesday and Thursday. It also included the Met Office’s description of variable conditions, a fresher feel, sunshine, showers and increasing winds.

No author name was visible in the available report details. For that reason, the report is attributed to the Manchester Evening News rather than to an individual journalist.

What does the Met Office forecast show?

The Met Office’s own Manchester forecast supports the expectation of a 23°C maximum. Its forecast showed sunny intervals and a potential daytime maximum of 23°C, while also indicating a chance of rain and wind gusts during the forecast period.

The Met Office forecast for Manchester University similarly showed a possible high of 23°C, with conditions described as sunny intervals and a minimum temperature of about 15°C.

A forecast for Salford also showed a potential maximum of 23°C with sunny intervals.

These forecasts provide the official weather-service basis for reports that temperatures could reach 23°C in parts of Greater Manchester. They do not, however, indicate that the area is entering a prolonged heatwave.

Forecasts can change as the date approaches and as the Met Office receives updated data. Any subsequent change in temperature, rainfall or wind forecasts would need to be checked against the latest official update.

How should residents interpret the forecast?

Residents should treat Monday as a warmer day within a generally changeable period.

A temperature of 23°C may feel warm, particularly in direct sunshine and sheltered urban locations. It is still below the levels associated with severe summer heat in many parts of the UK, and the forecast indicates that temperatures will fall quickly afterwards.

People travelling or attending outdoor activities may benefit from checking the forecast before leaving home. Light clothing may be suitable during the warmest part of Monday, but showers and cooler conditions later in the week could require additional layers or waterproof clothing.

Commuters should also be aware that increasing winds and showers could create less settled conditions from Tuesday. Outdoor event organisers may need to monitor the forecast for changes, particularly if activities are planned in exposed locations.

Background: How are heatwaves classified?

A heatwave is assessed using regional temperature thresholds and a minimum period of sustained warmth. The relevant threshold is not identical across the United Kingdom because normal temperatures vary between regions.

The criteria are designed to identify prolonged periods of unusually hot weather rather than isolated warm days. In practice, a forecast high on one day does not by itself establish that a heatwave is taking place.

Greater Manchester has experienced significantly hotter conditions in previous years. The Met Office’s Manchester heat pack recorded a temperature of 37.2°C in Greater Manchester during the extreme heatwave of July 2022, when the agency issued red and amber extreme-heat warnings and the UK Health Security Agency issued a level-four heat-health alert.

The current forecast is considerably lower than that previous extreme event. The expected 23°C maximum is therefore best understood as a brief warmer spell, not a comparable episode of exceptional heat.

Prediction: How could the weather affect Greater Manchester residents?

The forecast warmer spell is likely to provide a short opportunity for outdoor activities, travel and local events on Monday before cooler and more unsettled weather returns.

Residents may experience more comfortable daytime conditions during the 23°C peak, but the expected fall to 18°C on Tuesday and around 16°C on Wednesday and Thursday could affect plans that depend on continued warm weather. Outdoor venues, sports clubs, schools and event organisers may need to prepare for showers and stronger winds later in the week.

The available forecast does not indicate an official heatwave for Greater Manchester. The most likely effect for the local audience is a temporary improvement in daytime temperatures, followed by a return to cooler early-autumn conditions. Residents should rely on the latest Met Office updates for changes to the forecast, particularly for rainfall, wind and any future weather warnings.