Hot weather maps show exact date perfect 24C heat hits England - 10 hottest counties
Parts of England are set to bask in a late burst of summer warmth this weekend, with forecasters predicting highs of up to 24C before unsettled conditions return.
Weather charts show temperatures climbing steadily on Saturday, September 6, with much of the country reaching between 17C and 20C. The South East and East Anglia are expected to see the warmest conditions, with hotspots in Essex, Kent, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire peaking around 23C to 24C.
The hottest counties on this September 7 are:
Essex - hitting around 23-24°C.
Kent - widespread 23°C, locally 24°C.
Suffolk - 22-23°C.
Norfolk - up to 22°C inland.
Cambridgeshire - around 22-23°C.
Hertfordshire - around 22°C.
Surrey - up to 22°C.
East Sussex - around 22°C near coastal areas.
Greater London - 22-23°C due to the urban heat island effect.
Bedfordshire
Everywhere else across the UK looks cooler, generally 15-19°C, with the north of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland staying firmly in the mid-teens.
The forecast brings a taste of summer after a week of wet and blustery weather, though the warm spell will be short-lived. The Met Office outlook suggests Saturday will be mostly dry, with spells of sunshine and a freshening southerly breeze making it feel pleasant across many areas.
However, Met Office warns that conditions will change quickly overnight into Sunday. A band of rain is set to sweep in from the west, turning the weather wetter and windier across much of the country.
By Sunday afternoon, showers are expected to become widespread, with blustery spells particularly along exposed coasts.
Despite the return of rain, the brief surge in warmth will be welcome news for those hoping to enjoy a final taste of summer before autumn weather takes hold.
Met Office added that the weekend's contrasts highlight the transitional nature of September weather, as the UK shifts between lingering summer warmth and the arrival of more autumnal systems.
They said: "Saturday looks mostly dry with some sunshine and a warmer, though freshening southerly wind. Gradually turning wet and windy overnight into Sunday. Blustery showers following on Monday. Coastal gales possible."