Wet and windy autumnal weather is on the way after what is likely to be the hottest summer on record fizzles out.
Blustery showers will dominate the coming week, and could even develop into prolonged, heavy rainfall, the Met Office said.
The forecaster has said this summer has ‘almost certainly’ been the UK’s warmest as the mean average temperature for the season stood at 16.13C, based on data up to August 28.
If this season is confirmed as setting a new high for average temperature, it will mean all of the UK’s top five warmest summers will have occurred since the year 2000.
The top five are currently 2018 (15.76C), 2006 (15.75C), 2003 (15.74C), 2022 (15.71C) and 1976 (15.70C).
But temperatures next week are expected to be around average for early September, bringing an end to a summer of record-breaking temperatures, long spells of sunshine and four official heatwaves.
Senior meteorologist Zoe Hutin said: ‘The weather for the next few days is certainly going to be feeling autumnal.
‘We can expect blustery showers to continue through much of this week, and whilst there will be some drier, brighter interludes at times, some of the showers could be heavy and rather prolonged, merging into longer spells of rain at times.’
Heavy rainfall is expected across south-western parts of Scotland, and a yellow weather warning for rain has been issued for Dumfries and Galloway, and Strathclyde between 3am and 10am, the forecaster said.
Ms Hutin continued: ‘Into next week, we’re expecting to see a mixture of sunny spells, scattered showers, and longer spells of rain, led by a succession of low-pressure systems moving in from the Atlantic.
‘Rain could again be heavy, bringing a risk of thunderstorms and strong winds at times.
‘Temperatures are expected to be around average for early September, perhaps a little above in the slightly sunnier South East, but unlikely to be the main headline in the days to come.
‘Expect top temperatures in the high-teens or low-20s Celsius, however, with the cloud, wind, and rain, it may feel a little cooler in places, especially around western facing coasts.’
The change in weather means those hoping for a final hurrah before autumn will be disappointed, with experts now predicting that another heatwave is unlikely.
The reports of a so-called Indian Summer – a period of unseasonably warm and calm weather that occurs in the autumn – were speculated for September.
But Met Office forecasters have now confirmed they are expecting moderate temperatures more likely to be in the low-twenties – which although still warm, is normal for this time of year.
Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell told the Independent: ‘The week after next is a little bit too early to nail down exactly what will go on.
‘Our general trend though, as we go through to the second week of September, is that, on the whole, for the UK, it is probably going to remain on the changeable, unsettled side of the weather.’
It comes as August ended in a washout, with London and the south east of England receiving up to 70mm (2.8in) of heavy rain.
The Met Office warned that those living in coastal areas should have considered preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.
The forecaster also issued a yellow weather warning for the south west of England and Wales as wet and windy conditions swept over the UK for the final days of meteorological summer.
The dry spell ended with a splash as the double aftermath effect of Tropical Storm Fernand and Hurricane Erin meant a rainy weekend for parts of the UK.
Weather chaos hit parts of Devon and Cornwall as torrential rain caused major flooding and damage to buildings.
And a landslide also blocked the A379 in Devon in Modbury, while ‘ankle-deep water’ was reported in the Isles of Scilly.
The wet spell comes despite August’s average rainfall being well below normal at 35.6mm, compared to the average of 93.75mm.
Earlier in the week, the Met Office said this summer would ‘almost certainly’ be the UK’s warmest on record as the mean average temperature for the season stood at 16.13C (61.03F), based on data up to August 25.
This is higher than the existing summer record of 15.76C (60.37F), which was set in 2018.
Ms Hutin said: ‘Given the last two and a half month’s of hot weather, temperatures have been sufficiently above average that the comparatively lower temperatures coming will not significantly affect the mean temperature of the meteorological summer.
‘Even taking that into account the rain and cloud which is forecast, it’s still going to likely be the warmest on record.
‘Mean temperatures would need to be around 10 degrees or so for this summer not to surpass the current hottest summer, and so it’s almost certainly going to be a record-breaker.
‘Temperatures are actually still a little bit above what is normally expected at the end of August, especially for the South East of the country.
‘For the North and North East, despite the rain and cloud, the temperatures will actually be around the average for this time of year, despite feeling a little bit cooler because of the unsettled conditions.
‘Urban spots especially could be around average or even a couple of degrees above average in places. So it looks likely it will still almost certainly be a record-breaking summer in terms of average temperatures, unless something drastic were to happen.’
