A brief blast of chilly polar air is set to send Brits shivering early this week as temperatures plunge up to 8C below normal.

According to forecasts, the UK is expected to awaken to the coldest morning of autumn so far on Monday.

Temperatures are predicted to linger a few degrees above freezing during the early morning hours, with values plummeting as low as 2C in parts of Scotland.

Some computer models indicate there may even a touch of ground frost in the northern half of the country, and some patches of mist by dawn under clear skies.

War Memorial park in Autumn, by Martin Williams

Dr Claire Kennedy-Edwards, senior meteorologist of The Weather Channel, said: "After a stormy week across north-west Europe, this week is looking much more settled but cooler, as high pressure builds in.

"There will be some cool nights to start the week, with a touch of frost expected in rural, inland areas.

"Minimum temperatures will drop into single figures across the UK and Ireland, falling up to 5-7C below average.

“Skies overnight will be mostly clear, with lows of 2C or 3C in England and Wales on Monday night.”

It'll be a fine and largely dry day for almost all areas on Monday as daytime temperatures rise into the low to-mid teens C.

Though, it may still feel cooler in the brisk north-westerly winds, with some showers in Scotland.

Heading into Tuesday, the bitterly cold morning conditions are set take charge once again, with not only Brits likely to endure another cool start but also much of central Europe.

The forecaster added: "As a cold front tracks south-eastwards across Europe, the cold north-westerly flow will bring colder temperatures across the continent through the week."

There are signs of improvement by the middle of the week however, with high pressure continuing to build and a UK 'Indian Summer' still on the cards.

By Thursday, temperatures across much of Britain are likely to recover, especially across the south.

Highs look set to reach 20C in London - possibly even a couple degrees higher.

Dr Claire Kennedy-Edwards said a north-south weather divide will split the country during the second part of the week as sunny skies warm the south while cloudier conditions shroud the north.

She said: "It'll stay sunny and dry on Thursday for much of England, Wales and Ireland once again, feeling warm in the sunshine and light winds in the south-east.

"It’ll turn cloudier in the north for Scotland with some morning rain clearing southwards.

"Maximum temperatures will be around 13-6C in the north and 17-21C across the south."

Download our all-new mobile app to get the latest news, sport and what's on. Click here for iPhone and here for Android

Looking for an older story? Search our archives

Search for jobs, motors and property, or place an advert or family notice here