Autumn 2025: Seasonal transition and winter readiness

Certified by the Institute of Highways, Peter Brown, Winter Commercial Operations Manager, has completed the only UK-accredited course for Winter Services Decision Makers and Managers, earning a Professional Development certification in Winter Services Decision Making.

Amongst autumnal season changes, Peter shares what he expects to see in a ‘typical season’ and how Ground Control services can keep your sites safe and secure.  

Meteorological autumn officially began on 1 September, showing early signs of a typical seasonal shift. Cooling temperatures, blustery winds, and occasional showers are a marked contrast from 2025 summer’s extremes.

After what is likely the hottest summer on record for the UK, with four heatwaves and sweltering highs, autumn’s onset brings relief. The Met Office confirms no more heatwaves are expected and forecasts September to deliver more moderate, changeable autumnal conditions, with temperatures settling in the low twenties Celsius, reminiscent of the season’s norm

You can see the change taking place by the leaves on the trees changing colour and the shortening days. But what does the changing weather mean for our clients? 

What this means for clients and Ground Control services

A traditional autumn with modern realities  

Autumn 2025 is off to a classic start. Damp, breezy, and transitional, but shaped by the longer-term imprint of a record-breaking summer. 

Due to a more active jet stream and an increased likelihood of low-pressure systems being more dominant, increased wind and rainfall are likely. This brings typical season challenges such as muddy surfaces, blocked drainage, and wind stress on vulnerable trees. When combined with trees preparing for winter and losing their leaves, leaf litter can start to cause a nuisance and danger across many sites.  

As it breaks down, leaf litter becomes slippery and sludge-like. Working with our maintenance teams, and depending on the site, we recommend clearing this litter to avoid trips and dangerous walking conditions. Not only this, but leaves can also block gutters, clog drains, and increase the chances of expensive flooding issues.  

• • Vegetation Management and Clearance  
  • Gully Sucking and Drain Clearance   

As winds pick up, autumn storms are the first to reveal unsafe trees. The increased wind speeds can cause unstable, dead, or diseased branches to suddenly fall. This danger can be mitigated with proactive tree surveys and safety inspections that will identify issues, provide details of potential dangers, and recommend how to keep your staff, customers, and grounds safe.  With unsettled weather forecast to persist, sites are best protected through regular maintenance, vegetation and gutter clearance, and tree safety inspections. These actions reinforce safety and operational continuity as conditions evolve.

• • Tree Safety Inspection  
  • Emergency Tree Works and Clearance

The chance of the sun 

As we transition into autumn and away from summer (yes, there were summery conditions in some places!), there is still plenty of warmth in the sun. If high pressure builds then depending on the position of the jet stream, warmer air could rise from the south. With warmer conditions sandwiched between wet conditions, it is highly likely to experience a sudden growth in vegetation, weeds, and almost give a second wind (pun intended) of growth.  

• • Grounds Maintenance and Weed Management

Forecast-informed Operational Readiness

The UK should brace for rain, wind, and regionally heavy showers. As winter nears—with storm naming already underway—Ground Control’s readiness for gritting, snow clearance, and emergency services will be vital.

Looking ahead

As we move into this winter season, look out for our ‘Winter Weather Updates’ to see what to expect.

Whether it’s our No Frost, No Cost call-out option or a full-season protection package, Ground Control ensures your site is resilient early, every time.

• • Winter Gritting
  • Snow Clearance