Met Office weather: What's the forecast for the week ahead?

Author: Press Office

The week ahead promises a largely dry and increasingly warm spell of weather across much of the UK, as high pressure gradually asserts its influence.

While some areas will see cloud and the odd shower early in the week, conditions are expected to become more settled and sunnier as we move towards the weekend.

Tuesday: A bright start for many

Tuesday begins with a few showers brushing into Lincolnshire and Norfolk during the morning, but these will quickly clear, leaving most areas dry. Sunshine will dominate for the majority of the country, and winds will be lighter than on Monday, making for a pleasant day. However, weather fronts will continue to linger to the northwest, bringing some cloud and patchy rain into parts of Scotland.

Midweek: High pressure building

By Wednesday, high pressure will be attempting to take hold, although not fully established. Western Scotland will see more cloud and outbreaks of rain and drizzle, particularly along the north coast and into Northern Ireland. Elsewhere, thicker cloud may develop across England and Wales, with the possibility of an isolated afternoon shower in the Midlands or South Wales. These will be few and far between, and for most, it will remain dry.

Temperatures will begin to climb, with highs reaching 28°C in the southeast. Most areas will be above average for the time of year, although the west coast of Scotland will remain cooler under cloudier skies and a brisk breeze.

Thursday: Sunshine and rising temperatures

By Thursday, high pressure will be more firmly in control, pushing weather fronts further north. This will bring widespread fine and sunny conditions across the UK. Some low cloud may linger along eastern coasts, and a few early showers are possible across the Western Isles and Highlands of Scotland. However, these will clear, and sunshine will become more widespread.

Temperatures will continue to rise, with Thursday likely to be the first day this week where parts of the southeast reach 30°C. Coastal areas, particularly in the east, may remain slightly cooler due to onshore breezes and occasional mist or low cloud.

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Friday: Heat extends northwards

Friday sees high pressure dominating, shifting slightly eastward. This may introduce a light easterly breeze, keeping temperatures a little lower along the East Anglian and southeastern coasts. Mist and low cloud may persist in these areas during the morning but should lift to reveal sunny skies.

Elsewhere, it will be dry and sunny, with temperatures continuing to climb. The warmth will spread further north, with highs of 30–32°C expected in southern England, including Birmingham and London. Even the east coast will begin to warm as breezes ease. Northern areas, including eastern Scotland and Northern Ireland, will also see temperatures well above average.

Weekend outlook: Heat persists

Looking ahead to the weekend, the high-pressure system is expected to remain in place, although weather fronts will begin to approach from the west. A cold front may attempt to move in, but current indications suggest it will stall and remain offshore due to the strength of the high.

Saturday will remain very warm across the UK, with the heat likely to persist into Sunday. There is some uncertainty regarding the timing of cooler air arriving from the west, which may begin to influence conditions early next week.

UV and pollen

With the rise in temperatures, UV levels will be high or very high throughout the week. Grass pollen levels are also expected to be elevated, which may affect those with hay fever.

Overall, the week ahead will be characterised by increasingly warm and sunny conditions for most, with high pressure bringing a welcome spell of summer weather. While some coastal areas may remain cooler at times, the general trend is for rising temperatures and widespread dry weather.

Keep up to date with weather warnings, and 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. 

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