Britain basks in 23C October warmth today before overnight frost and autumn chill sweep in this weekend

Parts of eastern England are hitting 23C on Thursday — as much as 8C above the mid-October average — driven by deep low pressure near Iceland pushing warm southerly air across central, eastern and southern England. The Met Office warns the warmth will be short-lived, with a rain band edging south before colder northerly air takes over. Friday will feel noticeably cooler, and the weekend brings rural overnight frost and patchy fog.

Scotland and Northern Ireland are already seeing seasonal norms of 12-15C, with blustery winds and heavy showers.

Severe drought has been declared across parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex after the driest April-to-September in over a century.

Monday and Tuesday are expected to bring further rain or showers across parts of England and Wales, with southern areas most exposed.