Essex residents enjoying a taste of late summer sunshine this week may be wondering whether another heatwave is on the cards before autumn fully arrives.
The county is expected to enjoy some sunshine and temperatures above the seasonal average over the coming days, with forecasts suggesting highs could reach the low-to-mid 20s in parts of Essex next week.
However, weather experts have stopped short of predicting the kind of prolonged hot weather required to meet the UK's heatwave criteria.
The latest Met Office forecast suggests the county will see a "changeable" pattern over the next week, with a mix of sunny spells, cloud and the occasional shower.
Temperatures are forecast to remain close to average overall, although there is "scope for some rather warm days at times", particularly across southern parts of the country
The forecaster's latest long-range outlook covering the second half of September suggests settled conditions could become more dominant across southern England, bringing drier weather and warmer afternoons.
Despite this, confidence remains relatively low at longer ranges and temperatures are expected to stay near average overall.
Earlier this year, the Met Office pushed back against reports suggesting Britain was on course for another September heatwave.
While meteorologists acknowledged that warmer-than-average spells remain possible, they said a return to the exceptional temperatures seen during the summer is not currently the most likely outcome.
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The BBC weather forecast for Essex similarly points towards a largely settled period after this week, with temperatures generally sitting in the high teens or low 20s.
While that would make for pleasant late-summer conditions, it remains some way below the temperatures usually associated with a heatwave.
For now, Essex residents can expect a mix of mild autumn weather and occasional sunshine, with a few warmer days possible as September progresses.
But anyone hoping for one final blast of summer may need to temper their expectations, as forecasters continue to predict changeable conditions rather than a sustained period of exceptional heat.
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