By Aidan Radnedge Published: 02:58 EDT, 17 September 2024 | Updated: 08:29 EDT, 17 September 2024

Britain is basking in what could be a last blast of summer sun – with temperatures tipped to hit 24C over the coming days.The Met Office has forecast tomorrow will feel ‘very warm’ with ‘plenty of sunny spells’, amid above-average temperatures for this time of year.Meteorologist Aidan McGivern said today would be ‘a sunny and warm Tuesday for the vast majority’ with Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England ‘the best places for blue skies’.The mercury is expected to rise as high as 22C in many places including the capital London today before reaching 24C tomorrow and Thursday, then dipping slightly to 22C on Friday and Saturday then 20C in Sunday.But there have also been warnings of cooler days to come next week, as well as cloudier conditions and ‘heavy rain across the southern half of the country’. The return of temperatures rising above 20C has prompted sun-seekers to hit the seaside, including these two women taking a dip off Burston Bradstock in Dorset A fellow sunbather at Burton Bradstock’s Hive Beach makes the most of the conditions today People are seen basking in the warm autumn sunshine at Granary Square in central London The Met Office expects temperatures today to rise from 17C this morning to 22C later onRecent evenings have seen notable mist and fog patches but these are expected to clear away from now onwards. Mr McGivern said: ‘We start off Wednesday with plenty of sunshine – Thursday is another fine day before some showers develop on Friday.’He said temperatures would be typically between 19C and 23C across the UK, adding: ‘Feeling pleasant enough in the mid-September sunshine.’ The best of the weather is said to be across the western parts of the UK due to an easterly breeze.Average temperatures at this time of year tend to be around 18C or 19C yet these higher temperatures have allowed many to enjoy soaking up the sun in parks and even on beaches.  Current conditions mark a sharp turnaround from blustery conditions and torrential downpours earlier in the month.And Brits across the UK woke up to icy conditions last Friday morning as widespread frost was reported across the nation.Temperatures plunged to -2.7C in Topcliffe, North Yorkshire, while the Met Office claimed that frost had been reported in south Wales – the earliest sighting since 2019. Britain is seeing above-average temperatures for this time of year – pictured are people at Hengistbury Head in Christchurch, Dorset People are seen enjoying the warm autumn sunshine on Wimbledon Common, south west London, as weather forecasters predict temperatures to reach 24C this week Pictured are two people sitting in the sunshine beside the Thames in Reading Blue skies are seen above the beach at Hengistbury Head at Christchurch, Dorset Fine conditions have helped attract many to Caversham Court Gardens in Reading A late summer stroll has proved tempting for visitors to Wimbledon Common, south-west London Walkers made the most of the conditions beside the sea in Christchurch, DorsetIndependent weather forecaster Netweather said: ‘September’s weather has been a study in contrasts, from early warmth to a surprising cold snap with thunderstorms.’Now, as high pressure builds, the UK prepares for a shift to drier conditions and above-average temperatures.’Yesterday was not all blue skies – the Met Office did issued a yellow warning that fog threatened to disrupt traffic during the morning rush-hour in the west and North West of England, and in Wales.Forecasters described it as the first widespread fog of the autumn.

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Warm blast brings return of 24C heat and sunshine before autumn sets in with cooler days on the way