UK weather

Headline:

Dry and sunny, becoming very hot.

Today:

Cloudy with outbreaks of rain in the northwest. Elsewhere, largely dry and sunny. Warm in Scotland and Northern Ireland, but very warm to hot across much of England and Wales, with locally very hot conditions in the west and southwest.

Tonight:

Cloudier remains in the northwest with some patchy rain. Dry elsewhere with long clear spells. Warm to very warm across parts of central and southern areas.

Thursday:

Very warm becoming hot or very hot across much of England and Wales. Chance of an isolated evening shower in the northeast. Heavier showers for Northern Ireland and Scotland later.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday:

Mixed conditions, with sunny spells and mostly dry weather in the south. More cloud, showers and occasional rain in the north. Temperatures near normal, but warm in the southeast.

Mainly dry at first Sunday, then through the day and into the start of the following week Atlantic frontal systems will probably approach or move across the UK. These will bring some rain in places, perhaps heavy at times. Temperatures will likely be near normal or slightly above. Later in the period, high pressure will probably have more of an influence with drier conditions developing for many. Some rain is still possible at times, particularly in the north, together with a risk of thunderstorms in the south. Temperatures will likely be above normal.

High pressure will probably be dominant in the vicinity of the UK during this period, meaning periods of dry weather for many regions. However, some more unsettled or changeable interludes are probable at times, bringing showers or some longer spells of rain, although overall rainfall amounts are more likely to be below average than above. Temperatures will likely be above average and some spells of hot weather and heatwaves are possible, especially in the south.