The Met Office has responded to claims the UK could be in for a rare Indian summer at the end of October.
Recent weather forecasts have shown unseasonably warm temperatures for much of the country over the next two weeks, with talk of an incoming 'plume' from North Africa pushing the mercury all the way up to 23C.
Meteorologists have even predicted that the mild spell will last up to Halloween on October 31, with the south enjoying warmer conditions than the north.
Netweather forecaster Nick Finnis said: “Some computer models show 22C or 23C by midweek, bringing an Indian Summer."
Responding to the claims, Met Office weather forecaster Becky Mitchell believes we are unlikely to experience a "typical Indian summer" - but will still likely see the mercury nudging 4C higher than would normally be expected for this time of year.
Speaking to The Sun Online, she said: "The warmer air we are expecting in the middle of this week will originate from northern Africa.
"Temperatures will bit 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, with Met Office figures for central England showing average temperatures this month 15C higher than usual so far.
It would also help propel 2022 into the meteorological history books following a record-breaking summer which saw the UK hit 40C for the first time ever.
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.”
UK weather forecast:
Rain then showers in north, becoming fine in south.
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.
