UK's longest-lasting snow patch melts as temperatures hit 32.7C on hottest day of the year
The patch of snow, nicknamed 'the Sphinx', forms on a sheltered part of Braeriach in the Cairngorms in Scotland.
The UK's longest-lasting snow patch has melted away - for only the tenth time in 300 years - as temperatures hit 32.7C on hottest day of the year so far.
The patch of snow, nicknamed 'the Sphinx', forms on a sheltered part of Braeriach in the Cairngorms in Scotland.
It melted away earlier this week for the fifth time since 2017 and until 100 years ago, it was thought to be a permanent feature on the mountain.
It came as a temperature of 32.7C was recorded in Heathrow on Saturday - provisionally the hottest day of the year.
Read more: UK weather: How long will the heatwave last?
The UK has now sweltered through six days of temperatures above 30C in September for the first time.
Previously the highest temperature of the year had been set on Thursday, with 32.6C recorded in Wisley, Surrey.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber heat health alert, meaning weather impacts are likely to be felt across the health service, with those aged above 65 or those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular disease at greater risk.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has also issued a “high” air pollution alert for the capital for Saturday, the first since June, and urged Londoners to stop their engines idling and refrain from burning wood or garden waste.
Heathrow has reached 32.7 °C 🌡️
Provisionally making today the warmest day of the year 🌡️
It is also the 6th day in a row the UK has recorded a temperature over 30 °C 🌡️ pic.twitter.com/UlrdrRn9ka— Met Office (@metoffice) September 9, 2023
Meanwhile, more storm warnings have been issued across the UK.
A yellow warning issued by the Met Office spans east Wales, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Manchester, Nottingham and Oxford is in play until 9pm.
The weather warning means some places could experience flash flooding, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds, with possible interruptions to road access and public transport if such circumstances were to occur.
The same warning has been issued for Sunday covering Northern Ireland, northern parts of England and Wales, and southern Scotland until 11.59pm.
The UK expected to return to cooler weather next week with a mix of sunshine, showers, and some windy conditions likely as temperatures return towards the average for the time of year.
UK's longest-lasting snow patch
The Sphinx sits on a 1,296m Munro and was named after a climbing route near the snow patch.
The snow patch had previously melted fully in 1933, 1959, 1996, 2003, 2006, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 and now 2023.
Before 1933, it is thought to have last melted completely in the 1700s but there are no formal records.
When it disappeared last year in October, it meant Scotland was snow-free for the fourth time in six years.
Other Scottish mountains, such as Ben Nevis, also have long-lasting snow patches, but the Sphinx is considered to be the longest lasting.