UK weather: Temperatures to rise to 23C before autumn chill sets in

Thursday will bring unusually high temperatures as warm air wafts across the south of the UK, while colder conditions dig into northern areas.

Afternoon highs in parts of eastern England are likely to be about 5-8C (9-14F) above typical mid-October values, probably peaking at 23C (73F).

It will be a different story further north and west with temperatures in much of Scotland and Northern Ireland sitting around the seasonal norm.

The two air masses are divided by a weather front which will bring outbreaks of rain. As that sinks southwards, chillier air will spread to all parts of the country bringing a colder feel to the weekend, though there will still be plenty of sunshine.

Frost and patchy fog are likely to develop in some locations.