We might be just six weeks away from Christmas, but you won’t be needing your heavy winter coat this week.
For temperatures throughout the UK are set to be about 23F (7C) higher than average this week as a plume of warm air arrives from the Continent – bringing highs of 59F (15C) today and 63F (17C) by Thursday.
But the warm spell will be short-lived, as the mercury is due to swing in the opposite direction next week – with the chance of areas being dusted in frost as temperatures dip below average for this time of year.
A temperature of 63F (17C) by Thursday would beat the 61F (16C) expected in Madrid – while daytime highs of 46F (8C) expected in London next Monday would be below the 48F (9C) forecast for Vancouver in Canada.
And, looking further ahead, the Met Office has warned that towards the end of the month there will be a ‘marked increase in the likelihood and extent of frosts’ along with ‘an increased chance of snow’.
Rowers make their way up the River Thames in the Buckinghamshire town of Marlow in sunny conditions today
Autumnal colours along the River Thames at Marlow in Buckinghamshire today, as the country enjoys warmer temperatures
Walkers and joggers enjoy the improved weather and sunshine on the Long Walk at Windsor Castle in Berkshire today
A beautiful photograph taken this morning of a murmuration of starlings near Gretna Green, in the south of Scotland
Another view of the starling murmuration near Gretna Green today, as Britain prepares to enjoy mild temperatures this week
Met Office forecaster Matthew Box said: ‘From Tuesday we could see 15C (59F) to 16C (61F). We’ve got a plume of mild air pushing in on Tuesday and into Wednesday, so it will be reasonably warm.
‘But there is a strong indication as we head into the following week and the latter half of November that it will start to cool down somewhat.
‘The weather will be predominantly settled but the temperatures overall in this period will be below the average and could extend to frosts and snow over northern hills and mountains.’
Today will be a bright morning for most, with a few isolated showers in western parts. It will remain dry and bright for central and eastern areas, but north-western parts will become breezy with rain pushing in by the evening.
Tonight is expected to be largely cloudy and breezy, with outbreaks of rain for Wales, northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, some of which will be heavy. However it will be drier in central and southern England.
Today will be a bright morning for most, with some showers in western parts. It will remain dry and bright for central areas
Tomorrow is forecast to be largely grey and overcast with outbreaks of rain for much of Wales and northern England
On Thursday it will be mostly dry but cloudy with sunny spells as temperatures head towards 63F (17C) in the South East
Friday will be mostly dry, cloudy and misty with a few sunny spells possible along with drizzle and gentle winds
Parts of England could reach 59F (15C) today and tomorrow, compared to the usual 50F (10C) to 52F (11C). And Scotland will enjoy temperatures higher than the 48F (9C) it would typically expect in mid-November.
Tomorrow is forecast to be largely grey and overcast with outbreaks of rain for much of Wales, northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. But central and southern England will be drier and brighter with a few sunny spells.
On Thursday it will be mostly dry but cloudy with sunny spells as temperatures head towards 63F (17C). Conditions may become misty for many with spots of rain in the far west – but the winds will be gentle southerlies.
Friday will be mostly dry, cloudy and misty with a few sunny spells possible along with drizzle and gentle winds. But much colder weather is then set to sweep in from Scandinavia, with temperatures dropping by the weekend.
Martin Young, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: ‘After the mild conditions we’ve had so far this month, next week’s temperatures will feel noticeably colder by contrast.
‘Although temperatures will be below average, particularly in the south, the situation is not out of the ordinary for the time of year. Next week will certainly be cold.
‘Although many places should be dry, showers are possible in the east. At the moment, there is very little signal for wintry conditions, with any snow more likely to be confined to higher ground.’
Looking a fortnight ahead, the Met Office forecast for November 27 to December 11 says: ‘Temperatures are likely to be below average overall, with a marked increase in the likelihood and extent of frosts.’
It adds: ‘With more generally colder temperatures, there will be an increased chance of snow, particularly for northern hills, during spells of more unsettled weather.’
The hottest November day recorded in the UK was 72.3F (22.4C) in Trawsgoed, Mid Wales, on November 1, 2015.