High temperatures may have lingered far into autumn, but a dramatic shift in the weather could be just days away, with forecasters predicting exactly when the October heat will end.
The latest Netweather maps show chilly conditions creeping in as early as Wednesday, October 7, with areas in the north showing minimum possible temperatures of 1C. It comes after an unseasonably warm start to October with above-average highs of 23C forecast in the south-east on Monday.
Wet and Cold Conditions Spread From the North
Later this week, wet and cold conditions are expected to spread from the north, triggering a dramatic change in the feel of the weather. It could mean maximum temperatures will reach between 11-16C by Wednesday, near or a little below the average for early October, the BBC reports.
According to Netweather, temperatures could average just 10C in the south by 6pm, while the northeast and Scotland could drop to 6C. Areas in the Highlands could meanwhile plummet as low as 3C.
Thursday Brings Further Dips and Strong Gusts
On Thursday, temperatures could dip even further, with areas in the south-east including London seeing possible lows of 6C, while the Scottish Highlands could see a teeth-shattering 1C. During this time, Wales and northern England can expect cloudy conditions accompanied by outbreaks of rain.
A weather front will also trigger showers across Scotland and Northern Ireland, while northern Scotland could see strong gusts of 50-60mph and sunnier conditions.
Met Office Outlook for Mid-October
In its long-range outlook for October 9 to October 18, the Met Office warns that weather systems from the Atlantic could trigger heavy rain and strong gusts. It reads: "It will be a changeable period as weather systems move in from the Atlantic, bringing spells of rain or showers to most areas."
"There will be heavy at times, especially in the northwest, with some strong winds. There will still be some drier and brighter interludes between systems, especially in parts of the south and east. Temperatures will likely be near to normal at first, perhaps becoming warmer later."
The forecaster says late October into early November will likely "maintain a changeable pattern overall" as weather systems continue moving in from the Atlantic. "These will bring showers or longer spells of rain at times, with the wettest and windiest weather in the northwest, drier in the southeast."
