Autumn has swept into Scotland with an unmistakable chill and the Met Office predicts the weather will turn more gusty and rainy.
A cold northerly wind is expected to sweep southward over the coming days, bringing a 'notably' wet and windy spell of unsettled weather than experienced so far this autumn. The Met Office predicts the dreary conditions will peak on Friday.
Unusually chilly weather for the season has already ushered in -2C temperatures over Monday night. Now meteorologists say the forecast over the next few days will feel cooler and breezier.
Focusing on the next couple of days, Met Office chief meteorologist Steven Ramsdale said: "The start of the week has certainly seen a change in the weather as cool air and bands of rain and showers have swept southwards.
"Much of the next few days will see similar conditions across the UK and although it'll feel cooler and breezier than recently, this is fairly typical autumn weather for us."
Looking ahead to Friday, Daniel Rudman, Deputy Chief Meteorologist added more details: "On Friday it looks as though a deeper area of low pressure will move into the northwest of the UK.
"This means that many can expect a more notably wet and windy spell, for a time on Friday, than we've seen so far this autumn. However, this is nothing unusual for the time of year."
The Met Office says it is generally confident in its forecast for a cooler and unsettled week, however the details may vary due to hurricane season.
Daniel added: "At this time of year, knock-on effects from the Atlantic tropical cyclone season can lower confidence when forecasting more than a few days ahead, and so the exact timings for rainfall and wind strengths for Friday may vary throughout the week.
"The best thing you can do if you've got outdoor plans is make sure you're always using the most up to date forecast."
The Met Office's five-day forecast
Tuesday:
Sunshine and showers, heaviest in northeast Scotland, and quite frequent in areas exposed to the northwesterly winds, particularly north Wales and the west Midlands. Some inland areas mostly dry. Wet afternoon in far southwest. Feeling chilly, although winds slowly easing.
Tuesday night:
Rain clearing the far southwest, but showers continuing in some eastern and western coastal areas, as well as northern Scotland. Some inland areas clear with a touch of grass frost.
Wednesday:
Sunny intervals and scattered showers continuing to affect some coastal areas, just odd ones inland.Rain, some heavy, reaches some eastern counties later. Winds easing but still on the cool side.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Cool and showery on Thursday before heavy rain and strong winds spread southeast across all parts on Friday. Some rain in the south on Saturday, sunny spells and showers elsewhere.
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