Parts of the UK could see temperatures soar as high as 26C over the next week as a final hit of summer sun shines on the country.
Rain and more autumnal weather have swept across the UK since the start of September. It came after the Met Office confirmed the hottest summer on record, with parts of the country experiencing as many as five heatwaves and remaining in drought as a result.
But forecasters said there could be one more chance for summer sunshine as a “heat dome” moving from North Africa sends temperatures soaring again.
There will be some cloud and scattered showers across northern areas on Monday, but the south of England is expected to be largely warm and dry, with temperatures reaching up to the mid-twenties, the Met Office said.
The highest temperatures of the week are expected on Tuesday, when parts of London and the South East will see late afternoon highs of 26C and bright sunshine will dominate across the South and Midlands.
The Met Office said: “Tuesday will see a cold front gradually move southeastwards across Scotland and Northern Ireland. Many areas will have a mix of cloud and brighter spells, while rain arrives in north-west Scotland and Northern Ireland later in the day.
“The warmest conditions are expected to remain in the southeast, where temperatures could reach 25C, with a potential maximum of 26C.”
Sunshine will continue across the South and South West on Wednesday, with forecasters predicting some cloud cover to move eastwards. But temperatures will remain warm in London and the South East, with highs of around 23C.
However, the Met Office also said the warmer weather could also be cut short by the expected arrival of a colder front from the West, the timing of which remains uncertain.
After this, conditions are likely to become “changeable”, according to the Met Office’s longer-term forecast, “with spells of rain and showers interspersed with some short-lived spells of more settled weather and temperatures returning to near normal overall”.
Deputy chief forecaster Tony Wisson said: “There remains some uncertainty over the exact track of a frontal system on Wednesday which could bring a spell of heavy rain, particularly across eastern and south-eastern Scotland, and potentially parts of northern and north-eastern England.
"We're closely monitoring this development and would encourage people to keep up to date with the latest forecasts over the coming days. It’s likely that many southern areas will remain largely dry.”
Met Office five-day forecast
Monday night
Staying cloudy in the North and West with patchy drizzle possible where the cloud thickens. Clear spells elsewhere with mist and fog patches possible.
Tuesday
Cloudy for many with a few bright spells at times. Rain moving into north-west Scotland and Northern Ireland through the day. Rather sunny and warm in the South East.
Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:
A spell of heavy rain moves through on Wednesday, followed by a drier, brighter and fresher day on Thursday. Clouding over again on Friday with light rain moving south.
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