Britain braces for one of its COLDEST winters in 30 years as 'Beast from East' makes bone-chilling return - after Indian Summer brings last blast of sun and 80F highs this month

• e-mail

The UK could be set to see the return of the 'Beast from the East' as scientists warn it could be one of the coldest winters in 30 years - but an Indian Summer will bring the last blast of sun this month.

Analysing current sea temperatures and weather systems over the north Atlantic scientists are able to predict what is to head our way in four month's time - and it's going to be very cold.

Freezing Arctic air is set to descend on the UK in the first months of next year as the Gulf stream will sidestep Britain, leaving us without the rise in temperature it normally brings to the British Isles from the Atlantic and Caribbean sea.

Despite the weather forecast being very premature, four months before this weather is set to hit, the extreme weather predictions were spotted by climate prediction experts at University College London. 

But before the cold blast, warmer weather is on the way, with some forecasters suggesting it could turn out to be the hottest September on record, with highs of 80F.

A couple brave wintry conditions as they take a walk through snow-covered St James's Park in London February 27 2018

Monday August 9 through to Wednesday 11. Heavy rain is expected widespread for Monday. Tuesday will see the rain dry up with spells of sunshine, but only briefly, as Wednesday will see strong winds batter the UK as Hurricane Dorian arrives

The picture above shows the sun trying to shine through clouds today in Bristol as lower temperatures sweep across the UK 

The sun was shining today for runners in Newcastle as they took on the challenge of the Great North Run (pictured above)

A blanket of mist covered Lennoxtown at the foot of the Campsie Fells in East Dunbartonshire, September 8 2019 as the sun rose

The team, led by professor Mark Saunders, told The Sunday Times: 'This would rank the 2020 January-February central England temperature as the coldest winter since 2013 and January-February 2020 as the seventh coldest winter in the past 30 years.'

However the predictions, which attempt one of the longest-range forecasts in history, are not set in stone - with scientists claiming there's a '57 per cent chance the central England temperature will be colder than in 2018'.

Studying the jet stream has long been an indicator of weather to come, but new methods used by UCL researchers, measuring changes in sunlight and other factors that affect the 200mph Gulf stream, has allowed predictions to be made much further ahead.

With Britain's hottest temperature on record, 101.66F (38.7C),  recorded at Cambridge University Botanic Garden in July, the UK may now be set to experience one of its harshest winters yet.

One woman took advantage of the sunshine today and went out on her paddle board in Brighton for the first weekend of Septmeber

The reflection of the sun was shining in the sea at Shipstal Beach today in Dorset as the UK braces for colder temperatures 

A touch of Autumn: Cooler temperatures saw a mist fall over a valley under the Campsie Fells mountain range in East Dunbartonshire in Scotland

But for now the temperature remains moderate, with a slightly chillier spell settling in over Sunday through through to Tuesday.

Heavy rain is expected widespread for Monday, moving its way slowly from the North east across the UK before making way for tropical stormy wet and windy weather. 

Tuesday will see the rain dry up with spells of sunshine, but only briefly, as Wednesday will see strong winds batter the UK as Hurricane Dorian, which has caused devastation across the Bahamas and Carolinas, U.S, dissipates over the UK.

OIi Claydon, a meteorologist at the Met Office said: 'The remnants of Dorian are expected to arrive in the UK late on Tuesday afternoon, but will only affect northern parts of the country.

'By then it will have calmed down significantly, and it is no longer expected to arrive at the same time as Tropical Storm Gabrielle which earlier weather patterns had predicted.'

A year of extremes: People enjoy the sunshine on Bournemouth beach on July 25 2019 as the UK surpassed hottest day on record

By early next week, Hurricane Dorian will have moved into the jet stream and across the Atlantic moving towards seas to the north of the United Kingdom (pictured in the blue arrow) - delivering a bout of wet and windy weather

Instead, the weather surrounding Gabrielle is uncertain, Mr Claydon explained. But added that it was expected to arrive later in the week than Dorian - which will move east to west across the UK.

Mr Claydon added that the winds brought by Dorian will no be too disruptive, but added that ahead of its arrival the country should prepare itself for chillier temperatures over the weekend.

He said: 'This weekend will be quite cold, with some frost even appearing in northern parts of the country. But as we move into next week these will move back up to the mid-teens again. 

In another extreme prediction for this year forecast are suggesting a late record breaking Indian summer may be on its way after Dorian passes overhead - with temperatures in the UK expected to top Hawaii this month at 79F (26C).