UK weather forecast: Dry, sunny and cool for most, but wet and windy in northeast

Temperatures gradually climbing after autumnal start to week

Heavy rain and gales will persist in northeast Scotland (Getty)

The wet and windy autumnal weather that greeted most of the UK at the beginning of the week is yet to ease in the far northeast of the country, but the outlook is more settled elsewhere.

Northeastern Scotland, particularly in parts of Aberdeenshire, Caithness, Sutherland and the Northern Isles, can expect heavy rain and gales to persist through the day into Tuesday evening thanks to a low-pressure centre over the North Sea.

Strong gusts of wind are also expected in western Scotland, as are showers that will blow into Northern Ireland and northwest England.

But a dry and bright day lies ahead for parts of the country south of mid-Wales, with patches of cloud and a bracing breeze hanging around to still keep things feeling a little cool.

Grahame Madge, a spokesperson for the Met Office, said: “We are in a situation where we have an improving picture, certainly for southern England and Wales.

“There will still be some cloud, but by comparison with the weather we have seen over the last few days, it should be much better.”

London is expected to be the warmest part of the country on Tuesday, with temperatures reaching the low 20s in the capital.

Mr Madge said: “Temperatures will be beginning to build with warmer weather coming in from further south in the Atlantic bringing quite humid, warm air.”

The air grows cooler, however, as we move north, with the potential for 20C in Cambridge, up to 17C expected in Manchester and 18C likely in Newcastle.

A fine, warmer day with some sunshine awaits most parts of the country on Wednesday, except for the far northeast, where the rain will continue until it eases gradually throughout the day.

High pressure drifting to the east looks set to bring much brighter weather and warmer continental air for some heat towards the end of the week. Temperatures could hit 33C in places on Friday, with 30C being felt quite widely across England and Wales.