THEY are the first days of autumn and usually herald the start of chillier temperatures and longer nights.

But Scotland could be set for an Indian summer as the Met Office is forecasting hotter-than-normal temperatures over the next three months.

Highs highs up to 25°C (77°F) are expected, with unseasonal temperatures lasting until November.

Scotland has seen September temperatures nudge 27°C (80°F) in all of the past five years. 

But while temperatures are set to be warmer, the Met Office also warned storms are set to buffet Scotland with above-average rainfall expected in some places. The Met Office three-month contingency forecast is being briefed to government, councils, businesses and transport chiefs.

The Met Office forecast said: “The shift towards warmer-than-average conditions is consistent with warmer conditions seen in the last 10 years.”
The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: “Summer improved as it went on and good weather looks like continuing for autumn, with Indian Summer-style spells.

“Autumn is forecast to be warmer than average. September looks pretty hot with fine spells, and a good chance of the heat continuing for the first half of October.”