Met Office warns of 'unsettled' Atlantic weather as UK temperatures plunge 7C from Thursday's highs

Britain's mild October spell is ending abruptly, with temperatures tumbling from 23C on Thursday to just 16C on Friday — a 7C drop that Met Office forecaster Helen Willets called "notable" on BBC Radio 4 this morning. Heavy rain is sweeping across the south and east before clearing, with daytime highs expected to fall further to 13C by Sunday, bringing 30mph gusts to London. Scotland and Northern Ireland could see overnight temperatures approaching freezing this weekend.

Saturday will bring sunny spells for most, but eastern and south-eastern coastal areas face potentially heavy showers.

The Met Office warns that Atlantic low pressure will push "unsettled" wet and windy conditions into next week, with rain returning Wednesday.

Milder conditions are forecast to return in early November after the unsettled October period clears.