Britons could bask in warm sunshine next week after being battered by two severe storms and enduring a chilly and rainy bank holiday weekend.
Some weather charts suggest the temperature could rise to 25C in the East and/or South East of England towards the end of next week.
Until then, if it happens, the UK will have to contend with cooler temperatures, heavy showers, strong winds and flood alerts in the wake of destructive storms Ellen and Francis, which torrential rain and 81mph winds.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain for London, the South East and parts of the South West from 11.30am to 7pm on Thursday. Almost 40mm (2ins) of rain could fall in less than six hours.
On Friday, a thunderstorm warning will be in effect from 11am to 8pm for the southern half of England and South Wales, as Britons hope for one last hurrah from a summer marred by less-than-brilliant conditions at times and coronavirus lockdown curbs, including foreign travel restrictions.
As of Thursday morning, there are seven flood alerts in place in northern England and three in North Wales after days of heavy rain, meaning flooding is possible.
But there is a glimmer of hope - the latest charts from Netweather.tv suggest the return of warm sunshine next week, predicting a maximum temperature of 25C in parts of England on September 3 and 4, the Express reports.
The Met Office 's current forecast only goes to Wednesday, predicting 21C in London, 19C in Cardiff and 18C in Belfast and Edinburgh.
BBC Weather's long-term forecast predicts highs of 20-21C in the south and 16-18C in the north on September 3 and 4, and
As for the rest of this week, the Met Office said Thursday morning will be mostly dry and bright, but any rain will become more persistent through the afternoon with some heavy downpours.
It will feel warm in any sunshine, and the highest temperature is likely to be 21C in the south.
Further outbreaks of rain are expected on Friday, and Saturday is likely to be windy with spells of showers.
Sunday and Monday will bring some sunny spells, but it will remain cool and the nights will be chilly.
Met Office forecaster Bonnie Diamond said there is still "some disruptive weather" to get through on Thursday and Friday before things become "settled but more chilly for the bank holiday weekend".
In its rain warning for Thursday, the Met Office said severe weather could cause flash flooding, hazardous driving conditions and travel disruption.
It said: "Areas of heavy rain will continue to move eastwards across southern parts of England, bringing up to 30 or 40mm in five or six hours in a few areas - enough to cause a lot of surface water and some flooding on roads.
"Conditions drying up across the west of the warning area later."
Flash flooding will remain a threat on Friday, along with power cuts and dangerous conditions on the roads, as thunderstorms could dump 40mm (1.6ins) of rain in a three-hour span.
The Met Office warned: "Heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop quite quickly later on Friday morning, but peaking during the afternoon for many, before probably becoming more restricted to the south-east and south coastal counties towards evening.
"Some places will miss the heavier rain, but other locations could see around 20mm within an hour and perhaps 30 to 40mm in around three hours, sufficient to cause issues on the roads."
By Friday night onwards, many places will struggle to get temperatures that are in the double digits, said Ms Diamond.
A spokesperson for the Met Office said: "It's staying unsettled this week with further showers and heavy rain in places, before turning more settled and cooler into the long weekend.
"Low pressure will remain across the UK until the end of the week, bringing further spells of rain, showers and strong wind at times.
"After a dry and bright start on Thursday, most areas will see showers or longer spells of rain develop through the day.
"Friday will be another day of showers and it’ll turn windy across eastern areas for a time, but the winds will ease into the weekend as a large area of high pressure builds across the UK from the Atlantic."
Chief Meteorologist Frank Saunders said: “We’ve seen a real mix of weather this August - with a heatwave earlier this month and in the last week we’ve had two named storms bringing very wet and windy weather across the country.
"With high pressure on the way this weekend we’re going to end the month with much more settled weather, with plenty of late summer sunshine for many.
"It’ll be a dry weekend for most areas too, though eastern areas can expect a few heavy showers on Saturday.”
He added: “It’ll feel quite cool despite the sunshine, as northerly winds bring below average temperatures for the time of year with highs of around 16 to 18C.
"At night it’ll feel really quite chilly, with temperatures dropping to single figures for most, and a chance of air frost in Scottish glens.
Looking ahead to the bank holiday weekend, Deputy Chief Meteorologist Chris Tubbs said: “Later on Monday low-pressure will once again start to edge it’s way in from the Atlantic and it’ll turn cloudier with outbreaks of rain for Northern Ireland, with cloud and rain spreading to the rest of the UK by Tuesday.
"It’s likely to stay unsettled into the remainder of next week as we begin meteorological autumn [on September 1], with spells of wind and strong winds at times.”
In its long-term forecast for Monday 31 August to Wednesday 9 September, the Met Office said: "A largely dry day for most on Monday with warm sunny spells at times.
"Generally light to moderate winds, but perhaps turning cloudier and breezier from the west later with possibly some outbreaks of rain reaching the far west in the evening.
"Looking further ahead into next week, overall conditions look to turn more unsettled with spells of rain and strong winds, most likely across southern areas.
"It should become drier and less windy throughout the period, though there is a risk of further outbreaks of rain arriving in the far west later on.
"Temperatures should generally be slightly cooler than normal early on, with a risk of overnight frost, before gradually climbing back up towards average."
Looking further ahead, temperatures could be around or slightly above average with some warmer spells towards the start of autumn on September 22.
Met Office five-day weather forecast
Thursday
Mostly dry and bright through this morning with sunny spells and the odd shower.
Rain will then more persistent through this afternoon with some heavy pulses likely later.
Light winds for all and warm in the sunshine.
Maximum temperature 21C.
Thursday night
Heavy rain at first, clearing to leave clear spells and a few showers, especially along English Channel coasts.
A rather mild night with light winds.
Minimum temperature 12C.
Friday
A few dry and bright spells at first, but quickly turning wet with outbreaks of showery rain, often heavy continuing throughout the day.
Maximum temperature 20C.
Saturday to Monday
Rather windy on Saturday with further spells of showery rain.
Winds easing overnight, then fine through Sunday and Monday with sunny spells by day, but some chilly nights.
