Britain’s longest-lasting snow patch melts for only the tenth time in 300 years amid September’s heatwave

Britain’s Longest-Lasting Snow Patch, “The Sphinx,” Melts Amidst September’s Heatwave

In an extraordinary event, Britain’s enduring snow patch known as “The Sphinx” has melted, marking only the tenth time it has done so in the past 300 years. This remarkable phenomenon typically forms in a sheltered area of Scotland’s Cairngorms on Braeriach mountain.

Once considered a permanent fixture, “The Sphinx” began its recent cycle of melting in 2017, now totaling five times in just four years.

As the nation finds itself in the grip of a record-breaking heatwave, this trend shows no sign of abating. The scorching weather is expected to persist through the weekend, with tomorrow anticipated to become the hottest day of the year thus far, boasting temperatures soaring to 33°C (91°F) during the afternoon.

Despite the heat, there is a caveat. Some regions in central England and Wales may experience hail storms and lightning, prompting the Met Office to issue a yellow weather warning for Saturday afternoon. Stephen Dixon from the Met Office warns, “The South and East will probably hold on to the hot weather the longest. But we have issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms on Saturday afternoon for central England and eastern Wales. Some might see 30-50mm of rain; there’s a possibility of hail and lightning. Not everyone will see these showers; they’ll pop up here and there. There’s a bit of a weather breakdown on the way. Some might see thundery rain but it will stay hot.” Stay weather-wise as the British climate continues its fascinating twists and turns.