This follows a cool and unsettled week, with showery conditions currently dominating much of the country.

Unsettled conditions continue

An unsettled regime will continue across the UK through the rest of Thursday and Friday. Temperatures will remain a little below average overall, although the strength of the June sunshine between showers may provide a short-term boost, making conditions feel pleasantly warm in more sheltered areas by Friday.

Warmer and drier conditions developing

By the weekend the weather is expected to improve with a shift towards more settled conditions across the UK.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Greg Wolverson, said: “As we move into the weekend the jet stream temporarily shifts northwards, allowing high pressure to build from the south.

“This brings a drier and warmer weekend for many. Saturday will see a more settled day of weather across southern areas, with some sunny spells developing. Temperatures here could reach 22-23°C. Northern areas may still see some cloud and occasional rain early on, but conditions are expected to improve here too later in the day.

“Sunday looks set to be widely dry across the UK, with further sunshine and temperatures continuing to rise.  Many western parts of the UK can expect maximum temperatures in the low 20s Celsius, with the warmest spots likely across southern England where temperatures may reach 23-24°C, bringing a notably warmer feel compared to earlier in the week”

Staying safe in warmer weather

People heading to the coast should be mindful that sea surface temperatures are not as high as they would be in mid-summer. While seasonal warming is underway current sea surface temperatures range from approximately 9°C around Scotland to 13°C around the south west of the England.

Head of Water Safety & Education at Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), Ashley Jones, said: “The tragic volume of drownings over the half-term heatwave underscores that despite warmer air temperatures, open water remains dangerously cold – even for experienced swimmers. Cold water shock doesn’t discriminate and makes you involuntarily gasp, potentially taking water into your lungs and starting the drowning process.

“We are urging everyone who wants to enjoy water safely this weekend to seek a lifeguarded location wherever possible. Stop and think before getting into water by checking for dangers, such as strong currents or hidden hazards under the surface, wearing a well-fitted wetsuit and entering the cold water gradually. Stay together and always keep children within arm’s reach.

“If someone gets into trouble, call 999. Stay out of the water yourself. Tell them to keep calm, to float on their back, and throw them something that floats, such as a football or plastic bottle.

“RLSS UK’s annual Drowning Prevention Week starts on 13 June, and we urge everyone to use and share our free, accessible water safety resources now to prevent further drowning tragedies and ensure everyone has a safe summer.”

You can find water safety advice on our website and in the refreshed Met Office app, now featuring a dedicated beach forecast with tide times, wave heights and sea-surface temperatures, as well as guidance on UV and pollen levels.

Next week’s outlook

Into the early part of next week, high pressure is expected to linger for a time, maintaining relatively settled and warm conditions. However, this area of high pressure is likely to drift eastwards, allowing low pressure to reassert itself to the west of the UK.

This setup brings a more mixed picture, with southern and southeastern areas likely to experience longer spells of dry and warm weather, while the north and west see more in the way of cloud and rain.

Despite the increasing influence of low pressure, winds are expected to have a southerly component, helping to keep temperatures above average for the time of year across many parts. There is even the potential for very warm or locally hot weather later in the week if high pressure becomes more influential again, with the warmest conditions most likely across central, southern and eastern England

Further ahead

Confidence decreases towards the end of next week, with some uncertainty around how dominant high pressure will be. While there is a chance of more settled conditions returning more widely, it is equally possible that the mixed pattern persists.

Overall, the trend points towards warmer conditions than those experienced at the start of June, with a balance of dry and sunny spells, particularly in the south, and more changeable weather in the north and west. It is possible that hotter conditions become reestablished across parts of the UK if the warm air across Europe spreads in.

You can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.