Met Office meteorologists have identified the onset of a warm trend that could elevate UK temperatures to levels reminiscent of much warmer European regions.

The UK is set to experience an October "mini-heatwave" this coming weekend, with temperatures expected to rival those typically found in Ibiza, according to the Met Office.

Residents in southern England, in particular, can anticipate highs just a few degrees shy of the country's maximum temperature record established over a decade ago.

The weather agency's forecast indicates that temperatures could reach as high as 26C, surpassing those observed in several European nations, including parts of Spain and France.

This unusual October warmth signals the beginning of a milder period, as suggested by weather maps, with temperatures consistently exceeding 20C for several days, despite a recent cooling trend.

However, the Met Office has issued a cautionary note, advising against expecting uninterrupted sunshine, as forecasters foresee the heat being tempered by incoming bouts of rain. Photo by Nigel Chadwick, Wikimedia commons.