Britain woke to one of the first real tastes of autumn on Tuesday morning as thick fog blanketed parts of the country ahead of a dramatic drop in temperatures. Eerie scenes in Wimbledon, south-west London, showed runners and dog walkers disappearing into the mist, while motorists switched on their lights to navigate the murky conditions.
Despite the foggy morning, those reaching for their winter coat may not need it just yet, with temperatures still expected to climb as high as 22C in some areas today. The warmth will prove short-lived as the unusually mild start to October gives way to more typical autumn weather.
Temperature plunge expected
Temperatures could fall below freezing in some rural areas overnight before highs drop to 16C or 17C on Wednesday. By Thursday morning, widespread single figures are forecast, with some rural spots potentially plunging to -2C.
The biggest chill is expected overnight from Wednesday into Thursday, when temperatures could plunge to minus 2C in rural areas. The south could fall to around 4C. Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk said: "Overnight Wednesday into Thursday, that’s when we will have that real autumnal feel, widespread single figures to start Thursday morning."
Regional forecast details
The Met Office predicts "sunny spells and scattered showers" across Scotland on Tuesday, while northern England, Wales and the Midlands are likely to see cloudy conditions with showery outbreaks of rain. That rain will gradually spread across England and Wales overnight, turning heavy at times.
Chalk said: "On Tuesday to the south, people might wake up to some mist and dense fog patches, to the north of that it’s going to be cloudy, to the far north, across Scotland, it will be a day of sunny spells and showers."
Unsettled end to the week
Wednesday is expected to begin wet across the South East, where some heavy spells of rain are possible. Drier conditions will follow behind, but temperatures will be noticeably lower. Chalk said: "Wednesday, it’s going to be feeling cooler, highs of 16C/17C in the south, highs of 13C or 14C in the north."
The autumnal change will continue into Friday as rain in western areas gradually spread eastwards. The Met Office said the rain could become heavy over western hills, particularly across western Scotland and northern England. Saturday is then expected to remain unsettled, with blustery conditions and showers affecting many areas.
