The Met Office has said temperatures could climb to the mid-to-high 20s next week, with the potential for one last heatwave before autumn weather takes hold.
Forecasters said there is the "potential to reach heatwave conditions should conditions align", as high pressure is expected to build across the UK.
The UK saw record-breaking heat this summer, with temperatures of at least 30C recorded across 33 days. Temperatures also climbed to 35C during four separate months - May, June, July and August - the first time this has occurred.
Warm air from the continent
While temperatures have dipped since the end of August, with frequent showers across most of the country, there could be one more hot spell in store.
The Met Office explained: "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 sub-tropical Atlantic."
That will lead to high pressure building across the UK during the latter part of the weekend and into next week, resulting in some brighter and drier conditions, the Met Office said. A ridge of high pressure is then expected to build across the UK, paving the way for increasingly settled conditions into the middle of next week.
Temperatures to climb steadily
"Temperatures are forecast to climb steadily rather than surge dramatically, with warm sunshine helping values rise from day to day," the Met Office said.
"The highest temperatures are most likely across southern parts of the UK, where current forecasts suggest highs could reach the upper 20s by the end of next week. While confidence is lower further north, much of the country is likely to see a spell of warmer-than-average weather as high pressure remains in control."
"These temperatures would be notably warm for late September and could offer a final taste of summer before autumn becomes more firmly established."
Addressing the chances of another heatwave, the Met Office added: "It remains to be seen whether official heatwave thresholds will be met, as these vary across the UK and depend on both the temperatures reached and how long they persist."
"Nevertheless, with high pressure expected to remain influential and temperatures continuing to climb, the prospect of one final heatwave before the end of the month is certainly not out of the question."
Drought update
It comes as officials gave an update on the areas of the UK currently in drought on Wednesday morning. The government has said that the UK will need above-average rainfall over the next seven months for all areas to move out of drought by spring, while water companies have been told not to lose momentum and to carry on water efficiency measures, even with the recent September rainfall.
The National Drought Group - which includes ministers, officials, water companies, farming leaders, anglers and conservation experts - said there were no changes in drought status for areas across England, with three-quarters of the country remaining in drought. Ultimately, the recent rain has not been enough to replenish water supplies, the group said, with drought only being over when rivers, groundwaters and reservoirs return to normal levels.
Research from the Environment Agency shows that the country needs 120 per cent of its typical rainfall over the next seven months for all areas to be considered out of drought. England received 130 per cent of its typical rainfall between September 2025 and March 2026, which led to recovery from last year's drought and provided an initial buffer for water resources during the dry spring.
Water minister Emma Hardy said: "The recent rainfall is not yet enough to replenish all the water we've used over the last six months, and I will be carefully monitoring the actions of water companies, which will be vital as we go through the autumn.
"They need to maintain momentum. We expect to see leaks fixed quickly, drought plans followed without delay and continued work to reduce demand to help avoid any further restrictions."
