As we head into the weekend, the UK is set to experience a distinct north–south divide in weather conditions.
While northern areas will contend with spells of wet and windy weather, central and southern parts are expected to enjoy largely fine conditions with temperatures on the rise.
Saturday: scattered showers in the north, sunshine further south
Saturday begins with a weakening frontal system pushing south-eastwards across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and into the far north of England. This will bring outbreaks of rain to some areas, with heavier bursts possible in places. However, the system is not expected to be particularly impactful, and many areas will remain dry.
Behind the front, a scattering of showers will develop across northern regions. Some of these may be heavy and blustery, with the possibility of isolated thunder. Winds will remain brisk in the north, contributing to a fresher feel, especially in exposed areas.
Further south and east, high pressure remains firmly in control. This will bring dry and settled conditions to much of England and Wales, with plenty of sunshine and only variable cloud cover. Temperatures will peak around 25-26°C in the south, making for a warm and pleasant day. Northern areas will see highs in the high teens or low 20s, though it may feel cooler in the breeze.
Saturday night: clear spells and a few lingering showers
As we move into Saturday night, the weather remains largely dry across the UK. Showers across Scotland and Northern Ireland will gradually ease, though a few may persist into the early hours. Elsewhere, skies will be clearer, particularly across southern and eastern regions.
With lighter winds and fewer clouds, temperatures will dip slightly, leading to a fresher night for some, especially across Scotland and northern England. Mist and fog patches may form in southern areas where winds are light, and skies remain clear.
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Sunday: dry and sunny for most, rain arriving in the northwest
Sunday is expected to be largely dry for much of the UK, especially through the morning and early afternoon. High pressure continues to dominate across England and Wales, bringing widespread sunshine and warm conditions. Temperatures will rise further, with highs in the high 20s possible in parts of the southeast.
Further north, conditions will begin to change later in the day. Cloud will increase across Northern Ireland and western Scotland as a low-pressure system associated with ex-tropical storm Dexter approaches from the Atlantic. Rain is expected to arrive by late afternoon or early evening, primarily affecting northwestern areas. Winds will strengthen slightly as the system moves in, though they will have eased earlier in the day.
Despite the incoming rain, most of Scotland and Northern Ireland will enjoy a dry start to Sunday, with temperatures reaching the high teens or low 20s. The southeast will be notably warmer, with some areas beginning to feel hot.
Looking ahead: heat building into next week
As we move into the early part of next week, the weather story shifts towards rising temperatures and the potential for a heatwave for some, though the longevity is uncertain. High pressure remains anchored in the south, allowing warmer air to be drawn in from the near continent, where temperatures are currently very high for the time of year.
This setup will lead to day-on-day heating across southern parts of the UK. By Monday and Tuesday, temperatures are expected to climb into the low 30s, with mid-30s not out of the question in isolated spots. The southeast is most likely to see the highest values, with Tuesday currently looking like the peak of the heat.
However, the influx of hot air may also trigger some instability. There is a risk of heavy, possibly thundery showers developing across southern areas on Monday and Tuesday. These will be hit-and-miss in nature but could bring brief downpours and gusty winds.
Northern areas are likely to remain closer to average for the time of year, with temperatures in the high teens or low 20s. The extent to which the heat spreads northwards remains uncertain, and confidence in the duration of the hot spell is still low.
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