Not just the weekend! 'Indian Summer' could last into October

It could be time to switch the heating off and roll the barbecue out as forecasters have predicted not only a warm weekend, but a dry, warm and sunny October.

The Met Office says: "For the first half of October most places can expect to see some settled periods of weather, more especially in southern and eastern Britain where some sunshine is likely. Further north and west there is a greater risk of seeing more changeable weather with showers or more prolonged rain. Temperatures should remain close to average but it may be warm at times in the south and east."

After days of rain and cooler temperatures, a pleasant October is in sight but before this, the rest of September from Tuesday is expected to be warmer than average and dry.

"It will be a dry start for most with variable amounts of cloud, though perhaps some patchy rain in central areas at first, and then again in the far northwest later," says the Met Office.

"Winds mainly light and temperatures above average at first, perhaps warm in the south on Tuesday. Through the week and into next weekend it will stay settled and largely dry across the south and east with clear or sunny spells, feeling pleasant in the sunshine, but rather chilly overnight.

"There will be an increased chance of rain or showers in the northwest, possibly heavy, and turning breezier too. Through the following week still a good deal of fine weather, but more unsettled conditions will gradually spread from the northwest, and temperatures probably returning to around normal."

For this weekend, Leon Brown, meteorologist at The Weather Channel, told AOL Travel: "We'll see a fine weekend for much of England and Wales and becoming warmer with lighter winds as high pressure builds, although chilly at night and fog risk.

"More cloudy over the north west with perhaps a little light rain for a time, but warm in eastern Scotland. Inverness to Speyside and Aberdeen all have a good chance of reaching 20 to 21C, perhaps even 22 to 23C."

And next week will stay reasonably pleasant, said Leon: "Next week fine, dry and settled under high pressure. Temperatures a little above normal by day but chilly at night and still some overnight mist and fog."

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