Exact date mercury to hit 18C in Indian summer blast just in time for Halloween

The Met Office has forecast that, while it is possible the UK could see "much colder" weather in November, the milder conditions could well remain into mid-Autumn

New weather maps show a burst of warm air will push temperatures to summerlike highs this Halloween, snatching away hopes that a traditional autumn will arrive in time for spooky season.

The last month since the official start of the new season on September 21 has rarely seen temperatures dip below the 15C mark, with persistent humidity keeping parts of the country largely balmy. The warmer weather is expected to only continue in the days to come, with the mercury looking set to surge.

Maps from WXCharts have identified which parts of the country could see temperatures increase by as much as 3C in less than a week. They show that even some of the typically coldest areas in remote parts of Scotland could see highs of up to 16C ahead of a breakneck decline to "much colder" conditions in November.

The charts show that temperatures could reach 18C in and around London on Wednesday, October 30. Northern England looks set to become similarly long, with highs seeming set to climb as high as 17C. In Elgin, Scotland, to the north of typically chilly Aberdeen, highs could reach 16C.

The Halloween highs follow another recent burst of heat that saw temperatures in some parts of the country surge back into the 20C range. Earlier this month, the Met Office said highs would surge to between 20C in "some spots" and added that maximums of 22C would not be "out of the question".

In its long-range forecast for the last few days of October and first few of November, the agency said the weather could become "much colder", with the possibility of snow on the horizon. But it added that it is equally possible that the current slate of milder conditions could remain.

The October 30 to November 8 forecast states: "The period is likely to be characterised by often quiet and settled weather, as an area of high pressure becomes the dominant feature of the weather. Some mist and fog is probable in the south at first, alongside rather cloudy conditions, whilst in the extreme north spells of stronger winds and rain could brush past giving a slightly more unsettled picture.

"Into the start of November, there is a chance the weather could (briefly) turn much colder/brighter, with a chance of snow showers in northern and eastern areas, but it's equally possible these could stay clear of the UK, or the milder conditions could remain in place. Either way going forward it's likely to stay mainly settled, with an increasing chance of more unsettled weather developing later in this period."