Temperatures set to fall as rain and cloud sweep across UK

ByStav Danaos

Lead Weather Presenter

After weeks of unusually warm weather, autumn is finally set to make its presence felt on Tuesday as cooler air sweeps across the UK from the north-west.

Temperatures will plunge from the low 20s to the mid-teens. Wednesday could be the first day since June when temperatures stay below 20C across the whole of the country.

A spell of rain and stronger winds will accompany the colder air, adding to the autumnal feel.

But the cooler spell is not expected to last, with temperatures expected to rise towards average over the weekend.

Cloud, rain and strong winds affecting parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland will spread further south on Tuesday.

This band of rain and cloud will usher in much cooler air, setting the scene for a distinctly autumnal Wednesday.

Temperatures on Tuesday could still reach 19-21C in the south-east, but northern and western areas will be much cooler, with highs mainly in the low to mid-teens.

The change will be particularly noticeable after such a warm start to October with Monday offering a final taste of summer-like conditions for southern and central parts of England and Wales

By Wednesday, the autumn chill will be firmly established and it is expected to be the first day since 11 June when temperatures fail to reach 20C anywhere in the UK.

Cooler north-westerly winds will bring sunshine and scattered showers to many areas, while rain could be heavy and persistent for a time across south-eastern England and East Anglia.

Temperatures will fall into the mid-teens across much of England and Wales. Scotland could see highs of just 10-13C.

The wind will also make it feel colder than the thermometer suggests, particularly around eastern coastal areas.

While mid-teen temperatures are perfectly normal for early October, the sharp contrast with the warmth of recent weeks is likely to make the change feel much more dramatic.

Thursday will start off chilly with mist and fog patches along with frost in places.

However, the day will bring some welcome sunshine as a temporary area of high pressure moves across the UK.

Temperatures are expected to reach around 14-16C in southern areas, with Scotland struggling to get much above 10-12C.

By Friday, Atlantic weather systems will bring further rain and stronger winds, although temperatures will recover slightly, reaching 16-18C across much of the south.

The cooler spell is not expected to last and temperatures should return towards average over the weekend and even slightly above average again next week.

But after such an extended period of warmth, this week's change may be the moment autumn finally feels as though it has arrived.

You can check your local weather forecast, including the expected feels-like temperatures, on the BBC Weather website and app.