The Met Office has forecast a "substantial fall" in temperatures across the UK this week, alongside "intense" rain, as autumn conditions take hold.
The warning comes after a summer of heatwaves and drought, with Summer 2026 breaking several records, including the driest July for England and Wales, and being provisionally named the hottest summer on record for the UK. Despite recent rainfall, several areas across England and Wales remain in drought conditions, with others in 'prolonged dry weather' status.
Cooler and increasingly unsettled weather
The weather across the UK is expected to become "cooler and increasingly unsettled" this week, turning "more recognisably autumnal", according to the Met Office.
Tuesday (October 6) began with some foggy conditions and a north-south split, with warmer weather in the south and fresher, cooler weather in the north. Moving onto Wednesday (October 7), the Met Office says that the rain will "intensify", and there is likely to be a "substantial fall" in temperatures.
"During Tuesday evening and overnight, the front across central Britain will become more active, while another area of rain moves northwards from the south," the Met Office says. "The two zones will merge during the early hours of Wednesday, bringing a cloudy and wet start across much of England and Wales."
Temperature drop and wintry showers
"Northern areas will begin drier and clearer, with a touch of grass frost possible in rural locations and even an air frost in the most susceptible spots. Rain will move eastwards during Wednesday, becoming increasingly confined to eastern areas later in the afternoon," the Met Office continues.
"South-eastern England may hold on to the wet weather into the evening. Behind the rain, numerous showers will affect Scotland, where some could be heavy and accompanied by blustery winds."
Wednesday is likely to bring a substantial fall in temperature, particularly in the south, where highs will drop from the low 20s to the mid or possibly high teens. The heaviest rain is expected across parts of northern and, especially, eastern England.
Frost and weekend outlook
On Thursday (October 8), many areas are forecast to be dry and clear, with "a touch of frost" in places, while showers could turn wintry over the Scottish mountains. The lowest temperatures in the north of England are set to drop to as low as 4C.
Looking towards the weekend, the Met Office says that "unsettled" conditions are likely on Friday, with "heavy rain" in Scotland and northern England. "Blustery and showery" conditions are likely for many on Saturday, while an area of high pressure could bring more settled weather to the UK on Sunday.
The Met Office's long-range weather forecast for the UK, which covers the period between October 10 and 19, says that "changeable" conditions are likely throughout the middle period of the month.
It reads: "It will likely be quite changeable through the middle of October, as a series of low pressure systems run across the North Atlantic, often to the north and northwest of the UK, bringing occasional bands of rain and strong winds, but interspersed with brighter and more showery conditions."
"Rain will be most prevalent across hills in the west and especially northwest, where above average rainfall is likely through this period. Longer drier interludes are more favoured in sheltered southern and eastern parts, but even here it is likely to be wetter than during recent weeks."
The Met Office adds: "Whilst brief cooler interludes are possible, temperatures are likely to be a little above average in many areas for the period as a whole."
