Autumn finally arrives in the UK as temperatures are set to plunge from 22C to the mid-teens this week

From the Newshound archive · first published 4 October 2026 · last updated 6 October 2026.

Britain is bracing for its first properly autumnal weather since June, with temperatures expected to fall dramatically from the low twenties to the mid-teens from Tuesday onwards. Wednesday will mark the end of a run of days with 20C or above somewhere in the UK that has held since 11 June. Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk warned that rural areas in the north could see lows of minus 1C overnight into Wednesday, with widespread single figures expected Thursday morning.

The sharp chill follows a record-breaking warm spell — the UK's September ranked joint-fourth warmest on record, with temperatures hitting 28.1C as recently as 29 September.

Heavy rain, stronger winds and fog patches will accompany the cold air, with Scotland potentially seeing highs of just 10-13C by Wednesday.

The cold snap is short-lived — temperatures are expected to climb back towards the high teens by Friday and into the weekend.