Autumn begins on Monday with one final blast of summer on the way this weekend with a mini 24C heatwave, according to the Met Office.
Friday will see a drizzly start in the north and west but the rest of the nation will be warm and bright with the Met Office predicting it to be 'very warm in sunshine.'
Across most of England and Wales temperatures will soar above 22C, with the hottest weather to be felt in the south east.
Maximum temperatures could hit highs of 24C in some areas, and the good weather is expected to last into the weekend.
But the Met Office has said that conditions are likely to change by Monday as autumn arrives with an active weather front bringing heavy rain and blustery winds as it pushes in from the west across the UK.
Expert Met Office Meteorologist, Adam Thornhill, said; “For the rest of this week and for the weekend, we will continue to see low pressure systems bringing blustery weather to the north of the UK whereas further south the drier, warmer weather remains thanks to the influence of high pressure extending up from the Azores.
“However, a shift in the position of the jet stream brings a change in our weather next week, allowing a cold front associated with a low-pressure system in the North Atlantic to spread eastwards bringing wet and windy conditions across the whole country throughout Monday.
"Behind the cold front, conditions will feel much more autumnal with a cooler feel and blustery showers for many.”
Forecasters said that while Brits can expect a dip in temperatures next week - back to normal or just below normal for the time of year - the mercury is expected to slowly recover to above average moving into October.
The Met Office added: "Next week will have a more autumnal feel with gusty winds across many areas of the country."
UK weather forecast
Today:
Low cloud and drizzle will affect many parts of the west and northwest. Elsewhere fog patches clearing to sunny spells, the best of the sunshine likely in central and eastern parts of England and eastern Scotland. Very warm in sunshine.
Tonight:
Many parts becoming mostly cloudy although some clear spells hanging on in eastern parts. Thicker cloud bringing some drizzle to the west and more persistent rain to NW Scotland. Mild.
Saturday:
Starting rather cloudy with occasional drizzle or rain in the west, especially northwestern Scotland where it will also become increasingly windy. Some sunny intervals likely elsewhere. Very warm in sunshine.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Still warm for many on Sunday, some heavy showers in the southeast. Rain and stronger winds arriving into the west starting a change to cooler, unsettled conditions early next week.
