An anticyclone positioned directly over Britain is set to bring warm, settled weather before making way for the remnants of Storm Boris, which has caused severe flooding in central Europe.
The high-pressure system moving across the British Isles will ensure dry and warm conditions early in the week.
However, forecasters predict that the anticyclone will shift northward, allowing showers from Storm Boris to impact southern England and Wales by midweek and into the weekend.
The heavy flooding in central Europe has led some countries to declare national emergencies.
For now, the large anticyclone will dominate much of the UK, bringing fine and dry weather.
Most areas will remain warm, although a northerly breeze in Kent may bring occasional showers.
NetWeather forecaster Terry Scholey said temperatures will range from 15 to 18C in the North and 20 to 22C in the South by Thursday.
By midweek, as the anticyclone moves north, showers are expected to hit the southern regions, while northern areas should remain mostly dry.
Overnight, temperatures will remain cool, with a north-easterly breeze developing across the South East, potentially bringing cloud cover, particularly along North Sea coasts.
Scholey said: “Lowest temperatures 5 to 8C, but lower than this in some rural valleys of the North and West, perhaps giving a touch of grass frost again briefly around dawn.
“Much of the country remains fine and dry towards mid-week, but later and more particularly towards the weekend, the threat of showers from the South becomes more acute.
“An East or North East wind will also freshen, bringing quite gusty conditions and variable amounts of cloud to the East and South.”
The Met Office said some of the showers over the south could at times be heavy and thundery.
A spokesperson said: “Through the weekend, similar conditions will prevail in the north of the UK, while southern parts see an increasing chance of showers, some of which could be heavy or thunder. Into next week, while the threat of showers remains in the south, high pressure may well become re-established from the north with settled conditions becoming more prevalent once again, albeit cooler than at the beginning of the period.”
This Evening and Tonight:
Cloud and patchy rain across the far north of Scotland. Some cloud in the southeast later, but clear spells elsewhere with patchy mist and fog, particularly across parts of northeast England. Chilly in places, especially in rural spots.
Tuesday:
A fine start for most with any fog patches lifting through the morning. Cloudier in the far north with some drizzle. Sunny elsewhere and feeling warm.
Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:
Largely fine through much of the week, though an easterly breeze developing may introduce patchy cloud. Risk of showers by Friday across central and southern areas. Warm in the sunshine.
