As we mark the autumn equinox, the seasonal shift is becoming increasingly apparent across the UK.
The nights are drawing in, temperatures are dipping, and the weather pattern is evolving. This week, high pressure remains the dominant feature, bringing settled conditions for most, but there are subtle changes on the horizon that could bring a different feel as we approach the weekend.
Here’s what to expect in the days ahead.
Autumn equinox: A turning point in the weather
The autumn equinox signals the official start of astronomical autumn, and this year it arrives with a noticeable chill. On Sunday night all four home nations experienced temperatures below freezing, with Scotland recording a low of -2.1°C. These chilly nights are set to continue, thanks to a combination of clear skies and light winds—ideal conditions for radiational cooling. High pressure is firmly in control, keeping the weather settled and largely dry, but also allowing temperatures to drop sharply after dark.
High pressure dominates: Dry, settled days for most
For much of the week, high pressure will be the main influence on our weather. This means that most areas can expect a run of dry, settled days with a mix of cloud and sunny spells. Winds will generally be light, although there may be a slight easterly component at times, particularly in the south and east. Where winds do pick up, especially in the southeast, it may feel a little breezier and cooler.
We've got a change in type this week with high pressure dominating ⛅
— Met Office (@metoffice) September 21, 2025
Here's the latest on the week ahead 👇 pic.twitter.com/LIKwKshdrT
Daytime temperatures will be close to or just below average for late September, with highs reaching 17 to 18°C in the southeast and mid-teens elsewhere. However, it will feel noticeably cooler where the breeze picks up or where cloud cover is limited.
Showers for some: Eastern and southeastern coasts
While most of the UK will enjoy dry weather, there are exceptions. An occlusion feature moving in on Tuesday will bring a fair few showers to the coasts of East Anglia and Kent. These showers could be frequent at times, especially through much of Tuesday. The Northern Isles are also likely to catch some showers, but for the majority, it will be a dry and settled day.
Elsewhere, the mix of cloud and sunny spells will continue, with the best of the sunshine likely in the west and north. Winds will remain mostly light, but could be a little breezier where showers develop in the southeast.
Chilly nights and the risk of frost
One of the standout features of the week ahead will be the chilly nights. With high pressure in charge, skies will often be clear overnight, allowing temperatures to fall quickly. Many rural areas, especially in the north and west, are at risk of grass frost and even some localised air frost. These cold nights are likely to persist through the early part of the week, with temperatures only gradually recovering as cloud cover increases later in the period.
Mist and fog patches are also possible overnight, particularly in low-lying areas. However, these should clear quite readily through the course of the morning, giving way to brighter conditions by day.
READ MORE: 'Volcanic' heat maps? 600-mile wall of rain? Met Office weather headline review
Midweek: More cloud, but still mostly dry
As we move through the week, there will be a gradual increase in cloud cover, especially across the southeast and central areas. This is due to a slight change in wind direction, bringing in more moisture from the east as high pressure shifts towards the Baltic Sea. While this will mean a milder night for the southeast, with temperatures not dropping quite as low, elsewhere clear skies will persist and the risk of frost remains, particularly in rural spots.
During the day, thicker cloud may build at times, especially in central and eastern areas. While most places will stay dry, the odd shower cannot be ruled out—though you’ll be quite unlucky to catch one. Temperatures will remain fairly similar, with highs reaching around 19°C in the south and mid-teens further north.
Late week: Subtle changes and a hint of unsettled weather
By the end of the week, high pressure continues to dominate but begins to shift further east. This allows for a slight change in wind direction, drawing in more moisture and cloud across the southeastern half of the UK. As a result, temperatures here won’t drop as low overnight, leading to slightly milder nights. However, in the west and north, clear skies will persist, and the risk of frost remains, particularly in rural areas.
Cloud will also start to push into the far northwest of Scotland, bringing the chance of some light rain and a breezier feel by Friday afternoon. Elsewhere, the settled theme continues, with a mix of sunny spells and cloud, and temperatures remaining close to average for the time of year.
READ MORE: Rainfall in the first half of September: A wet start, but the deficit remains
The weekend: Watching for a change from the west
Looking ahead to the weekend, there are signs that the weather pattern could begin to change. An area of low pressure to the southwest of Iceland may start to influence the UK, bringing the potential for some wet and windy weather to push in from the west. However, forecast confidence at this stage is still fairly low, and the timing and extent of any unsettled conditions remain uncertain.
For now, the main message is that the settled, dry weather will continue for most through the week, but keep an eye on the forecast for updates as we approach the weekend.
Temperatures: A gradual trend towards milder nights
While the week begins on a chilly note, with Monday and Tuesday nights particularly cold where skies remain clear, there is a gradual trend towards milder conditions as we move further into the week. This is especially true in the south and east, where increasing cloud cover will help to keep temperatures up overnight. In the west, however, clear spells may persist, and the risk of frost remains, especially in rural areas.
By Friday, temperatures during the day will feel fairly similar to earlier in the week, with highs around 18°C in the south and mid-teens further north. Nights will be less cold where cloud cover increases, but still chilly where skies remain clear.
In summary, the week ahead brings classic autumn weather for the UK: settled, dry, and often chilly, especially at night. High pressure is the dominant force, keeping rain at bay for most and allowing for plenty of sunshine by day. However, subtle changes are on the horizon, with the potential for more unsettled weather to arrive from the west as we head into the weekend.
Keep up to date with weather warnings, and you can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.
