Autumn is now upon us.

The Autumn Equinox on Tuesday saw a misty start to the day. The equinox is when there are approximately 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness and marks in the astronomical calendar the beginning of autumn.

The glorious hot weather we have been experiencing is coming to a halt. The MET office said the weekend will be dry and cool, with some sunny spells.

“The weather will be dry and feeling cool on Saturday and Sunday with some sunny spells following cold starts and overnight grass frost," they said.

“Rain is possible Monday morning, getting brighter in the afternoon with scattered showers.”

And looking ahead to next week, meteorologists say the chances of good weather will be very slim.

They added: “Cloud and outbreaks of drizzle will be affecting the east and west at first, with dry weather in between on Monday.

“Initially many places will be dry on Tuesday before cloud and rain arrive later.

“Into the middle of next week, it is set to return to unsettled conditions.

“There will be generally windy weather coupled with showers and occasional longer spells of rain at times.

“The heaviest rain most likely in the west and northwest, which may also see gales, low likelihood of severe, at times.

“Although in the east and southeast, there may still be brief interludes of drier and sunnier weather.

“Temperatures will generally be rather cool, potentially cooler in more persistent rainfall, and overnight frost may be seen in prone parts of the north during any brief interludes of calmer weather.

“Further into October, conditions are likely to remain unsettled for most.

“The most unsettled conditions being in southern areas.

“It will be generally windy with a chance of gales, however the risk of gales reduces later in the period. It will be feeling cool throughout with a risk of overnight frost. Lighter winds means that morning fog patches may also become more prevalent towards mid-month.”