Chillier feel to theweather as warm summer sun gives way to autumn

THE HOT weather is set to come to a halt as temperatures are set to plunge by up to 10C over the next few days.

As autumn officially began yesterday, Alan Bramham tended to the multi- coloured display of Virginia Creeper which covers the side of his windmill home near Howden in the East Riding area of Yorkshire.

There were also pleasant scenes at beauty spots such as Newmillerdam near Wakefield, but the moderate conditions could change this week.

Met Office operational meteorologist Martin Bowles said: “We are saying there could be a 10C change in the maximum temperature.”

He said the period of summery weather over the last few days would change “quite significantly” today.

It comes as warm air from southern Europe is replaced by cold air from the north Atlantic which should see temperatures drop by tomorrow.

In Yorkshire, the Met Office forecasted that today would be cloudy with periods of rain but brighter and drier by the afternoon. Temperatures are due to reach 14C at a maximum in the region.

Large swathes of the country can expect some rain by today and there will be some reasonably strong winds in the North West, with heavy showers tomorrow.

Mr Bowles said: “There will be a very autumnal feel to the weather which is quite appropriate in a way because Tuesday ( was) the autumnal equinox.

“It is when the astronomical autumn begins so it is quite appropriate we are getting quite a significant change in weather.”

He added: “You would expect a gradual change as we move later in the year, it just happens that as we have got these low pressure systems coming in tomorrow that it coincides with the autumnal equinox.”

In a forecast covering from today to Friday, the Met Office said: “Turning much colder than recently and unsettled with showers and occasional longer spells of rain.

“Some drier, brighter interludes are also likely, especially in the west on Friday.”

There will be a very autumnal feel to the weather this week. Met Office operational meteorologist Martin Bowles.

CHANGE ON WAY: Main, Alan Bramham tends to the Virginia Creeper, which covers his windmill home, near Howden; Above left, a woman walks her dog past beach huts at Saltburn and, right, autumn sunshine at Newmillerdam, near Wakefield.

PICTURES: JONATHAN GAWTHORPE/ SIMON HULME/ GETTY.