Temperatures in the United Kingdom are expected to rise next week as summer makes its final appearance, with the South East forecast to reach highs of 26 degrees Celsius by Tuesday. After a wet start to the weekend, much of the country is predicted to experience sunnier conditions in the coming days.

The Met Office indicated that a deep low-pressure system will develop to the west of the UK initially. However, this will be followed by the establishment of high pressure across the region, bringing warmer and drier weather. A spokesperson noted that this change will result in predominantly dry and bright conditions, with sunny spells becoming more widespread from the latter part of the weekend onwards.

Beyond the South East, other areas including England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland are expected to see temperatures rise into the low 20s Celsius. This follows a summer marked by record high temperatures across the country.

While the warmer weather may be welcome, it poses challenges amid ongoing concerns over reservoir levels. Despite some recent rainfall, most of England and Wales remain in drought conditions, with precipitation significantly below average for the month. For example, by Friday morning, Leconfield in East Yorkshire had received only 11% of its typical rainfall for September.

A vibrant sunrise was observed over Glastonbury Tor in Somerset, highlighting the seasonal transition. However, the persistent shortage of rain continues to place stress on water resources across much of the UK.