The balmy days of October’s Indian summer are about to make an abrupt exit in the UK, with a drastic shift in weather patterns anticipated for the weekend. The recent spell of unseasonably hot weather is expected to be replaced by chilly temperatures, reminiscent of winter. By the weekend, overnight temperatures could plummet close to freezing, marking a significant departure from the warmth experienced earlier in the month.
According to forecasts by the Met Office, heavy rain is on the horizon for southern regions on Thursday and Friday. While daytime temperatures are projected to hover around 20°C, nights will turn notably colder, ranging between 10°C and 15°C. However, the real temperature plunge is anticipated on Saturday morning. The air is predicted to feel significantly colder, with a daytime high of only 13°C—a sharp drop of around 10°C from the previous days. Moreover, nights during the weekend are expected to be even colder, with minimum temperatures dropping to a chilly 3°C.
Brent Walker, the Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, stated that a cold air mass will envelop all parts of the UK by the weekend, leading to the possibility of overnight frosts. High-pressure systems are set to dominate the weather in the early part of the following week, resulting in mostly fine and settled conditions during the day. However, nights will remain cold, with a risk of rural air frosts in certain areas. While some coastal regions might experience occasional showers, any early morning mist or fog is expected to dissipate quickly.
The recent weather in many parts of England has been exceptionally warm for this time of the year, with some areas experiencing record-breaking temperatures. East Malling, a village in Kent, recorded the highest temperature in the UK for three consecutive days, reaching a peak of 26.1°C earlier in the week. According to the Met Office, the last time the UK witnessed such a prolonged period of 25°C temperatures in October was in 2011.
In summary, the UK is bracing for a sharp contrast in weather conditions, with the warm days of October’s Indian summer giving way to a sudden drop in temperatures. Residents are advised to prepare for chilly nights and potential frosts as the weekend approaches. Stay tuned for further updates from the Met Office as the weather continues to evolve.
