Heatwave weather forecast: UK weekend heat before rain

Parts of the UK face a brief weekend warm-up, with south-east England possibly reaching 27C on Sunday, before Atlantic systems bring more rain next week. The heatwave weather forecast points to hotter air from France and Europe this weekend, then unsettled spells and near-average temperatures through much of September.

Key Takeaways

• South-east England could hit around 27C on Sunday as warmer air arrives from France and central Europe.
• Friday stays cooler and showery for many in the north, with gales possible on exposed western Scottish coasts and hills.
• Drought and hosepipe bans continue across parts of southern England and Wales under blocking high pressure.
• Next week looks wetter again, with Met Office outlooks signalling fairly unsettled weather into mid-September.
• Later September may turn slightly more settled, though warm spells remain possible, especially in the south.

According to BBC Weather, temperatures are rising again for the weekend after a mixed Friday. Northern areas still face wet and windy spells first, while high pressure keeps the southern half of England and Wales largely shielded.

What does the heatwave weather forecast say for the weekend?

Saturday looks fine and dry for England and Wales as hotter air from France moves in. Scotland and Northern Ireland should also see a lot of dry weather, with a chance of a few showers in the west and more cloud later.

Sunday brings a clearer north-south split. Northern Ireland and western Scotland look cloudy and damp. England and Wales should feel hot again in the best sunshine, with eastern Scotland likely staying dry with sunny spells.

Peak temperatures could reach 27C (81F) in south-east England. Northern England, south-west England and Wales may hit about 24C (75F). Northern Ireland and eastern Scotland could see around 20C (68F).

How will Friday set the scene before the heat?

Friday feels cooler across central and southern England and south Wales, with brief morning rain then sunny spells and less humidity. Temperatures could still reach 22C (72F).

By contrast, northern England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and north Wales face a breezy day of sunny spells and showers, heavy at times in the west. Eastern Northern Ireland and eastern Scotland should see fewer showers and more sunshine. Gales are expected for exposed coasts and hills in western Scotland.

Low pressure keeps rolling in from the Atlantic across the far north, mainly hitting northern and western Scotland. Further south, blocking high pressure continues to weaken those fronts where drought conditions and hosepipe bans remain in force.

Will the warmth last into next week and September?

There is uncertainty about how long the warmth lasts beyond the weekend. Atlantic systems are most likely to return with westerly winds and rain at times. Tuesday brings a chance of a deep low and stormy conditions, but the BBC says it is still too far out to pin down the strongest winds or heaviest rain.

The Met Office longer-range view, reported by Devon Live, expects fairly unsettled weather from 7 to 16 September. Showers or longer spells of rain should break drier intervals, with rain most frequent in the north and west. Southern and eastern areas may enjoy longer dry spells. Strong, gusty winds are possible, especially in the north-west. Temperatures should stay near average, though brief warm or very warm spells are possible, especially in the south.

From 17 September to 1 October, a gradual shift toward slightly more settled conditions is signalled. Most areas may see drier weather than the month's opening fortnight, with any wetter spells more likely in the north-west. Temperatures should remain broadly typical, with further warm spells possible in the south.

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