Parts of the UK could see temperatures soar as high as 27C this week as a final hit of summer sun shines on the country.
While rain and more autumnal weather have swept across the UK since the start of September, forecasters said there could be one more chance for hot weather thanks to a “heat dome” moving from North Africa.
Thursday will be a largely dry day for many with temperatures into the low 20°s Celsius for much of England and Wales.
The warmest weather of the week is expected on Friday, with the Met Office forecasting highs of 27C at around 4pm in London.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Dan Holley said: “Once early fog patches clear in the south, Friday will be exceptionally warm for late September, especially in the southeast closest to an area of high pressure over the nearby Continent.”
However, the Met Office also said the warmer weather could be cut short by the expected arrival of a colder front from the West, the timing of which remains uncertain.
“A weakening cold front will drift gradually southeastwards overnight and into Saturday, with temperatures falling back closer to average over the weekend,” Mr Holley said.
“This sets up a mixed weekend of weather, much of Saturday will be fine and dry before an increasing chance of rain or showers on Sunday, especially in more western parts.”
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”.
Looking ahead to next week, there are increasing signals of a period of wet and windy weather on Tuesday and into Wednesday “as a particularly deep area of low pressure could pass close to the UK”, with the chance of some coastal impacts in the west and southwest.
Met Office five-day forecast
Tonight:
Rain across the northwest will slowly edge southeast, becoming increasingly fragmented. Elsewhere, it will stay dry with variable cloud, while mist and fog patches may develop in the southwest.
Friday:
Fog and low cloud will clear from some central and southern areas, leaving a warm, dry day for many. Cloudier skies in the north and west will drift southeastwards.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
The weekend will bring some pleasant spells of sunshine and just a few showers, particularly on Sunday. Mostly dry on Monday with further sunny spells, though perhaps turning breezy later.
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