The Met Office has commented on claims about a possible warm spell that could sweep into Scotland this week.
Nick Finnis of Netweather had told the Mirror of his prediction that temperatures could reach as high as 23C by the end of the month due to an 'exceptionally' warm burst of air from Africa.
"Some computer models show 22C or 23C by midweek. An exceptionally-warm plume of air from northwest Africa looks like being pumped across Europe and to Britain, with up to the low 30s in France, and over 20C in southern Britain," he said.
In response to the claims, Met Office weather forecaster Becky Mitchell said we will likely see the mercury nudging 4C higher than would normally be expected for this time of year.
Speaking to The Sun, she said: "The warmer air we are expecting in the middle of this week will originate from northern Africa.
"Temperatures will [be] a little above average across the UK this week, with highs of 17-18C each day in the south. We can expect to see temperatures reach around 21C in the south on Thursday as a southerly wind draws up warm air from France."
A warm spell for the run-up to Halloween would come at the end of a generally warm October.
Dr Mark McCarthy, of the Met Office's National Climate Information Centre, said: "It was the warmest year so far up to the end of September, with each month since January being warmer than average. 2022 is on track to be one of the warmest years on record if warmer-than-average conditions persist."
The current Met Office forecast for October 21 to October 30 reads: "Temperatures could be mild in the south and west, with colder spells in the northeast. For the rest of the country temperatures will be near normal, perhaps warm during sunny spells."
For the start of November, the Met Office states: "A more prolonged period of settled weather is likely to develop in November bringing some drier weather."
Met Office's five-day forecast
Today:
Outbreaks of rain, some heavy, across Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland turning more showery, whilst early rain over eastern parts of England clears the far southeast late morning. Else, mostly dry with sunny spells. Windy in the north.
Tonight:
Dry with clear periods allowing fog patches to form, except in the far north where breezy with a few showers, whilst turning cloudier in the far southwest later.
Tuesday:
Fog clearing late morning, then dry with sunny spells for most, a few showers still in the far northeast. Cloudier in the far southwest perhaps giving a light shower.
Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:
Thundery rain and gusty winds moving north across the UK on Wednesday followed by further showers or longer spells of rain and strong winds on Thursday and Friday.
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