UK temperatures to hit 25C this week in late summer heat blast
In London, Monday and Wednesday are forecast to be 23C, while Thursday and Friday will be 21-22C
Temperatures across the UK are forecast to hit 25C in a final blast of late summer heat.
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Some parts of the UK are predicted to beat the 23C forecast in Athens, following a summer of record-breaking heat.
According to the latest weather maps, most of England will be warmer than 20C while temperatures in London and surrounding areas could reach 25C.
In London, Monday and Wednesday are forecast to be 23C, while Thursday and Friday will be 21-22C.
However rain is likely on Tuesday across Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and western areas of England where temperatures are expected to drop by the middle of the week to around 14-18c.
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The Met Office said: “The change begins with developments over the Atlantic. A deep area of low pressure is expected to form well to the west of the UK. Although this system is not forecast to move directly across the country, it is likely to drag warmer air up from the continent and subtropical Atlantic.
“High pressure will then build across the UK alongside this warmer air during the latter part of the weekend and into next week. This would mean a transition to predominantly dry and bright conditions, with sunny spells becoming more widespread.”
The late autumn heat follows a summer of record-breaking hot weather.
Five heatwaves were recorded in the UK over the summer, with August recorded as the hottest on record, and parts of England were subject to hosepipe bans.
The Met Office’s long term forecast for October says: “Changeable and occasionally unsettled weather is likely to become more frequent through October, with spells of rain and stronger winds increasingly likely to move in from the Atlantic. Between these periods, some drier and brighter interludes are also expected.
“As is often the case for October, deeper areas of low pressure may occasionally bring spells of very strong winds. Temperatures are expected to remain slightly above average overall, although brief cooler interludes are possible.”
Officials said almost three quarters of England remain in drought despite recent rain, as the country continues to battle its third drought in five years.
While rain has turned the grass green again, and it would be “understandable” to think the drought was over, the Environment Agency said there was still a very long way to go, with concerns over a number of reservoirs at very low levels.