BRITAIN is set for a return to warmer weather after a rainy start to the week, with temperatures forecast to climb back towards 24C.
Heavy rain is sweeping across parts of the UK on Tuesday, with temperatures falling as low as 11C in Scotland and reaching around 15C in southern England.
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But the unsettled conditions are expected to ease, with warmer and drier weather returning across much of England and Wales towards the weekend.
By Saturday, temperatures in London are expected to reach 23C, while Cardiff could see highs of 19C and Manchester 17C.
The capital could then reach 24C on Monday, with much of England and Wales seeing temperatures in the low 20s.
Despite the recent rainfall, drought conditions remain across all of Wales and most of England.
Sustained rainfall is needed to make a significant difference to the drought situation after an exceptionally dry summer.
Tuesday is expected to be the wettest day of the week in southern England, while Manchester is forecast to see showers from Thursday afternoon.
What will the weather be like this week?
The Met Office is forecasting a largely unsettled start to the week before brighter and drier conditions return.
Heavy rain will gradually clear the southeast on Tuesday morning, leaving a brighter day for many areas.
It will feel noticeably fresher, with winds gradually easing in the north although some showers are expected.
Wednesday is expected to be largely dry with plenty of sunny spells, while showers along the east coast gradually ease.
Temperatures will remain around or slightly below average for this time of year.
A further band of rain is expected to move across the country on Thursday before drier and brighter weather returns on Friday.
Temperatures are expected to remain around average through to Saturday.
Will temperatures reach 24C?
Temperatures are forecast to rise significantly towards the start of next week.
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London could reach 23C on Saturday before temperatures climb to 24C on Monday.
Much of England and Wales could see temperatures in the low 20s as warmer conditions return.
However, the outlook remains changeable, with periods of rain and showers expected to continue, particularly across northern and western parts of the UK.
The Met Office expects occasional rain or showers arriving from the North Atlantic to be frequent in northern and western areas until the end of September.
Southern parts of the country are expected to see some drier and more settled spells.
What does the weather mean for the drought?
The return of rain will provide some relief after the UK's exceptionally dry summer, but it is not enough on its own to end the drought conditions.
All of Wales and most of England remain in drought, with sustained rainfall needed to replenish water supplies and improve conditions.
The country experienced an exceptionally hot and dry summer, with five heatwaves recorded between May and August.
The conditions contributed to wildfires and travel disruption across parts of the UK.
What is the outlook for the rest of September?
The Met Office expects changeable conditions to continue through much of September.
Northern and western areas are likely to see more frequent rain and showers, while southern areas could experience longer periods of dry and settled weather.
Towards the end of the month, high pressure may become more dominant.
That could bring more settled conditions, with warmer daytime temperatures but cooler nights.
For now, the forecast points to a brief return to more autumnal conditions before temperatures begin to climb again, with highs of 24C possible next week.
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