The week begins with another spell of hot weather across much of the UK.
Temperatures are expected to reach the low 30s Celsius in several locations, particularly in southern and central England. This is due to a plume of warm air being drawn up from the south-southeast, driven by a high-pressure system positioned to the east of the UK. The settled conditions will dominate for most areas, although not entirely without interruptions.
On Monday, temperatures were already high across southern regions, and Tuesday is forecast to be even warmer. Highs of 33 to 34°C are likely around the Midlands and southern England. Northern areas will be slightly cooler but still warm, with mid-20s expected in parts of Scotland and low to mid-20s in Northern Ireland.
READ MORE: Understanding tropical nights and their impact
Tuesday: sunshine and isolated showers
Tuesday will bring largely dry and sunny conditions for most, with blue skies and light winds contributing to the warm feel. However, there will be some showery rain early in the day across Orkney and Shetland, which will clear quickly. A few showers may also affect parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland during the morning, but these too will ease, leaving a fine afternoon.
The combination of sunshine and light winds will make it feel very warm or hot across much of the UK. Temperatures will be a few degrees higher than Monday in many areas, especially across northern and western England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Wednesday: increasing cloud and risk of thunderstorms
As we move into Wednesday, a shallow area of low pressure to the southwest will begin to influence the weather. While the high pressure remains dominant, a frontal system approaching from the south may bring some changes.
Wednesday morning will see showers across parts of Scotland, some of which could be heavy and thundery. These will clear north-eastwards. Later in the day, the southeast may see showery bursts associated with the front, particularly affecting Kent, London, and East Anglia. Northern Ireland and northern England could also experience heavy showers, with the risk of torrential downpours, thunder, and lightning.
Despite the unsettled elements, most areas will still experience light winds and warm temperatures. Highs in the low 30s are expected in the south, with mid-30s possible in eastern regions. Compared to Tuesday, eastern parts will likely be a few degrees warmer, while western areas may begin to feel slightly fresher.
READ MORE: Met Office tips for staying cool during the heat
Thursday: fresher conditions and scattered showers
By Thursday, the frontal system will have moved northeast, clearing away any lingering showers from the southeast. The day will start with a few showers, particularly in northern areas, but these will generally clear. However, further showers may develop in the afternoon across Scotland, northern England, and Northern Ireland. Some of these could be heavy and thundery.
Central and southern England and Wales may also see a few showers, though likely fewer than indicated on forecast graphics. Temperatures will be slightly lower than earlier in the week, offering a fresher and more comfortable feel. Highs will generally reach the high 20s, with a chance of 30°C in East Anglia and the far southeast.
Friday and the weekend: high pressure returns
As we head into Friday, high pressure begins to rebuild and assert itself more firmly across the UK. This will bring a return to more settled conditions, although it’s important to note that areas around the edges of the high may still see some variability.
The northeast of the UK may experience more cloud cover due to the positioning of the high, with murky conditions and drizzly rain possible at times. Some moderate bursts of rain could also mix in with the cloud. Elsewhere, however, fine weather is expected, with increasing sunshine and temperatures rising again in southern areas. Highs in the low 30s are likely to return for some southern locations.
READ MORE: What are wet bulb temperatures and what they are used for?
Weekend outlook: warm and mostly dry
The weekend will continue under the influence of high pressure, now centred towards the northwest of the UK. While most areas will enjoy fine and sunny weather, the edges of the high may see more changeable conditions.
The south and southwest could see some showery bursts on Saturday, which may spread up the western side of the UK. Eastern areas may experience more cloud, which could suppress temperatures slightly. Nevertheless, the dominant theme will be warm and dry weather for many.
It’s also worth noting that the warmth will persist into the nights, with some areas experiencing uncomfortably warm conditions that may affect sleep. This is particularly true in urban areas and regions where daytime temperatures have been highest.
In summary, the week ahead promises a continuation of summer heat, with high pressure largely in control. While there will be some interruptions in the form of showers and thunderstorms, particularly midweek, most areas will enjoy dry, sunny, and very warm conditions. Temperatures will peak midweek and again towards the weekend, with only a slight dip on Thursday. The weekend looks set to be warm and mostly dry, although some western and eastern areas may see cloud and showers.
Stay tuned to the latest forecasts and weather warnings, especially if you’re planning outdoor activities or travelling during the week.
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.