Is Summer Over? Forecasters Say This Week's Hot Spell Could Be The Last This Year

A hot spell set to sweep the country this week could be the last this year - with forecasters also predicting a "mixed picture" for the bank holiday weekend.

The Met Office expects temperatures to peak in the late 20s in some areas this week before the mercury dips and the sunshine gives way to more unsettled conditions going into the bank holiday.

Met Office forecasters are also predicting a "mixed picture" for the weekend as temperatures return to "normal levels".

Sky News meteorologist Chris England has said the weekend is expected to be "rather cool and unsettled".

He added there will be a "north to north-westerly wind bringing showers or longer spells of rain, although East Anglia and the south-east look mainly dry with some good sunny spells".

Mr England said another heatwave doesn't appear to be "on the cards" for September.

The warm weather is expected to end as the UK approaches 31 August - the last day of meteorological summer.

Meanwhile, Met Office forecasters expect southern regions to have temperatures in the low 20s this weekend, while northern areas may see temperatures in the high teens.

Many people across the country could experience rain at some point over the weekend, although there should still be "plenty of dry and bright weather" to make the most of the last bank holiday before Christmas, forecasters said.

While temperatures are expected to be lower for the next few weeks, the Met Office says hurricane season in the Atlantic could bring warmer and drier weather to UK shores before autumn sets in.

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said:

"Tomorrow it is going to be dry with sunny spells overall in the east and south of the country.

"In terms of temperatures, we are going to have highs of 27C.

"By Friday we will have highs of 23C. It's going to be a cooler bank holiday but with drier weather on Sunday into Monday - overall a better weekend than we've had for some time.

"The trends are lower for the next few weeks. I wouldn't rule out it being the last warm spell of the year.

"[But] as we start getting into the active part of the hurricane season, with storms in the Atlantic, this can sometimes bring drier and warmer conditions."

Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell has explained how he expects the bank holiday to be a "changeable picture" weather-wise.

"It will depend where you are in the country," he added.

"In the south, temperatures will be in the low 20s, maybe pushing 22C in London.

"In the north, temperatures will likely be in the high teens."

Mr Snell said there were currently no signs of "anything very dry, or anything really wet".

He added:

"For some areas, Saturday and Sunday will be the best days, and for others Monday will be the best day.

"It will be a mixed picture, but there should be plenty of dry and bright weather to make the most of the last bank holiday before Christmas."