Met Office predict it to be mostly dry and settled over coming days although Scotland and Northern Ireland in particular likely to see some wind and rain

Swaledale sheep in Ullswater, Cumbria, during this week’s cold spell, which is about to make way for warmer conditions. Photograph: John Potter/Alamy

Temperatures are set to soar this weekend, driving away the chilly start to the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.

Autumnal sunshine and highs of 21C are expected in some areas of southern England, the Met Office has predicted – a far cry from the overnight low of -2.7C recorded in North Yorkshire on Thursday evening.

This weekend, there will be sunny spells and fine autumnal weather right across England, Wales and, for much of the day, eastern Scotland, meteorologist Marco Petagna said, although not everyone will get to experience it – there will be wet and windier weather moving across Scotland and Northern Ireland on Saturday afternoon.

“There will still be mixed conditions,” Petagna told PA Media. “But … there will be a lot of fine weather around, with sunny spells and lighter wind in the south. We’re looking at temperatures up to 19, possibly 20 towards the south-east.”

A band of rain will make its way south into northern England and north Wales overnight, he added. “But it will start to weaken and some lighter rain will move in across central parts of the UK.”

Overnight on Saturday, temperatures will also be less chilly than on recent nights, although temperatures will still fall to 3C or 4C in some areas in the south of England.

On Sunday, there will be light rain but also “plenty of sunny weather” in the north and temperatures could again reach 21C in the south-east and the mid to upper teens elsewhere.

“What’s left of that band of rain continues gradually southwards, slipping across northern England later in the day, reaching much of Wales, the Midlands and parts of East Anglia,” he said.

“The far south of England and south Wales will hold on to some dry, bright weather. Scotland, Northern Ireland, and eventually, northern England will also see some sunshine.”

The fine weather will continue into next week. “The far north/north-west of Scotland might just see a bit of cloud and the odd spot of rain at times. But apart from that, it will be dry and settled,” he said.

It could start to feel even warmer by Wednesday. “By midweek we’re looking at 23C in the south-east,” he said.