Milder conditions are set to return following a rainy start to the week as temperatures are forecast to creep back up to 23C.

Heavy rain swept across the UK on Tuesday with temperatures plunging in Scotland and the south of England.

Although the weather has changed bringing more unsettled conditions, all of Wales and most of England remains in drought. That is because sustained rainfall is needed to reverse the drought conditions.

While Tuesday was likely the wettest day of the week for the south of England, Manchester is set to see showers from Thursday afternoon.

By Saturdaytemperatures in London will reach 23C, with highs of 20C in Cardiff and 19C in Manchester.

On Monday the capital will see highs of 23C once again and most of England and Wales will see temperatures in the low 20C in a warm start to the week.

It comes after the Met Office confirmed the UK experienced its hottest summer since records began nearly 150 years ago.

Five heatwaves between May and August left the majority of the country in drought and have sparked wildfires and travel disruption.

The UK recorded a mean average temperature across June, July and August of 16.5C, beating the previous seasonal high of 16.1C set last year, the Met Office said.

The highest temperature recorded this summer was on 13 August at Kew Gardens, when the mercury hit 38.1C.

Changeable conditions with occasional rain or showers arriving from the North Atlantic, are set to be frequent in northern and western parts of the UK until the end of September, according to the Met Office.

But there will also be some dry and more settled periods in the south.

Towards the end of September high pressure may become more dominant bringing more settled conditions, with warmer daytime temperatures and cooler nights.

Scattered showers gradually fading leaving a largely dry and bright day across the UK, with the sunniest skies in Scotland. Breezy along North Sea coasts but tending to ease later. Temperatures near or perhaps a little below average.

A largely dry and clear night, but cloud and rain will reach the far west later on in the night. Feeling chilly, especially in the countryside.

Cloud and rain will spread erratically eastwards throughout the day. Rain turning heavier at times, particularly in the north, with the southeast likely remaining dry until after dark.

Remaining changeable with further showers or longer spells of rain. Some sunnier interludes, especially in the north on Friday and the south on Saturday. Feeling a little warmer by Saturday.