As we approach the first weekend of September, many are wondering whether summer will make a late return.
So far this week, the weather has certainly not felt summery, with heavy showers and thundery downpours sweeping across the country. However, the forecast for the coming days brings a mix of settled conditions, sunshine, and a few surprises.
High pressure builds: a settled start to the weekend
Through Thursday evening and overnight, most of those showers will gradually fade as high pressure begins to build across southern areas. This ridge of high pressure will bring mostly fine, dry, and settled conditions, lasting through much of Friday. Many will see a welcome return of sunshine, especially away from the northwest, where an area of low pressure just south of Iceland will start to introduce more cloud by the end of the day. Western parts of Scotland may see light outbreaks of rain and some blustery winds, but for the majority, it will be a dry and settled end to the week with spells of sunshine.
READ MORE: Met Office 10-day trend: An unsettled start to Autumn
Friday night into Saturday: mist, fog, and a bright start
Clear skies on Friday night will lead into Saturday morning, and some areas may wake to mist and fog, particularly in rural spots. These should clear away through dawn, leaving another dry and settled day for most. Sunshine is likely to start the day, although cloudier skies will begin to push in from the west as the day progresses. This will mostly be high cloud, which may turn the sunshine a little hazy, creating milky skies in some regions. Despite this, dry weather will prevail for the bulk of the country.
Temperatures and breezes: feeling pleasant, but cooler in the north
Saturday will be a fairly breezy day, especially around coastal areas, which may take the edge off temperatures. Highs are expected to reach around 23°C in southern regions, with temperatures moving into the high teens across the north. The breeze and cloudier skies will mean it feels a bit cooler, particularly further north and along exposed coasts. The odd shower is possible, especially across western Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland, but these should be mostly isolated.
Sunday brings a change: rain, thunderstorms, and muggy conditions
Looking ahead to Sunday, the weather becomes more unsettled. The area of low pressure highlighted earlier will slowly shift eastwards overnight Saturday into Sunday, fuelled by a relatively strong jet stream. As this system moves in, rainfall will increase, particularly across southern and southeastern upslope areas, where totals could reach 20 to 40 millimetres, especially over high ground. Eastern parts of Northern Ireland are also a watch point for heavier rain.
READ MORE: Met Office Deep Dive: Storm season past and present
The day will start mostly dry in eastern areas, with mist and fog possible once again. However, winds will pick up through the day, and outbreaks of rain, some heavy and blustery, will push eastwards. There is a good chance of thunderstorms developing, so it’s wise to keep an eye on rain and thunderstorm warnings via the Met Office website and social media channels. By the end of Sunday, the far west may see a brighter spell, but blustery showers will remain a risk.
Warm air from Europe: muggy and sticky conditions
One notable feature on Sunday will be the south-southeasterly flow, drawing warm air from continental Europe across much of the country. Despite the cloud and rain, temperatures will be similar to Saturday, with highs around 22 to 23°C. However, the increased humidity will make it feel more uncomfortable and sticky, especially later in the day. Those planning outdoor activities may find Saturday the better day for dry weather, while Sunday looks mostly unsettled.
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.
