The Met Office is predicting "pleasantly warm" weather conditions for the majority of October, providing an alternative forecast after some meteorologists suggested most of the UK will face a bitter 0C Arctic chill in the coming weeks.

This would be a stark contrast to the 20C temperatures experienced in some areas on Monday, and Tuesday's highs of 18.6C and 18.5C, recorded at Merryfield in Somerset and Heathrow Airport respectively.

However, there is a significant divide among forecasters, as the Met Office believes this warm pattern will persist for a while longer.

Its long-range forecast states: "High pressure is expected to prevail, leading to plenty of dry, settled weather... Temperatures will most likely be near average or in places pleasantly warm by day, at least at first, but with some chilly nights and chance of isolated frost where skies remain clear."

This excerpt, published on the Met Office website, refers to the period from Sunday, October 12 to Tuesday, October 21, after which the weather pattern is expected to become more unsettled.

The recent warm weather aligns with a forecast which predicted sunshine and clear skies for most of the UK following Storm Amy.

Temperatures climbed to at least 18C across Somerset, Greater London, and even Aberdeenshire amongst other locations on Tuesday, reports the Mirror.

Looking forward, meteorologist Nick Finnis from NetWeather explained: "Later in the week, high pressure will start to build more widely from the southwest, with more widespread drier and settled conditions across the UK."

However, the Met Office acknowledges that conditions will become chillier towards the month's end, though unlike Met Desk forecasters, they haven't specified by how much.

The long-range outlook states: "There is however a small chance that it could turn colder and more showery from the east through mid-October. A breakdown to something more unsettled will probably develop towards the end of this period (Tuesday October 21)."

Regarding the period from Wednesday October 22 to Wednesday November 5, the Met Office notes: "The final third of October will likely see a transition to more unsettled conditions across the UK, with high pressure slipping away, though the timing and manner of this is low confidence.

"Whether this takes the form of successive weather systems moving in from the Atlantic or a rather slower-evolving weather pattern remains to be seen, but there is a greater chance of most if not all places seeing spells of rain or showers and possibly strong winds later in the month, and continuing into the start of November. Temperatures will probably be close to average overall."

Today: Rather cloudy as a band of rain and drizzle continues to sink south across the region through much of the day. Turning brighter from the north through the afternoon, with plenty of sunny spells possible into the early evening. Maximum temperature 18 °C.

Tonight: Remaining largely fine and dry overnight, though under clear skies and light winds mist and fog patches may develop. Feeling chilly. Minimum temperature 7 °C.

Thursday: A bright start, with any remnant mist and fog patches clearing readily from dawn. Becoming increasingly cloudy through the day, though some sunny spells remain possible. Maximum temperature 17 °C.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Remaining largely settled as high pressure continues to dominate. Cloudy at times with the chance of drizzle, mainly over the hills. Light winds with a chance of fog developing overnight.