The third heatwave of the year will hit the UK this weekend as temperatures are set to climb again this summer.
While the country was left reeling after June’s record-breaking heatwave, the next hot spell is promised to be much more pleasant as humidity levels will remain low.
The weekend’s heatwave will also not affect the whole of the UK, with mainly the south and southeast to experience temperatures above 26C.
Aidan McGivern, Met Office meteorologist, said: “It’s not going to be as hot or as humid so not quite as uncomfortable, and not quite as impactful. It also will not affect the whole of UK.”
On Saturday, highs of 27C are expected in the southeast of England, as temperatures in the south all stay above 20C.
Further north, temperatures hang around the high teens, and as we get to Scotland, there is only a slight dip in temperature as the mercury remains in the mid-teens, around 16-17C.
Sunday will be the hotter day this weekend, with highs of 29C expected in London. The heat will continue to build into next week as Monday could see highs of 31C.
While the south will bask in the sunny weather this weekend, western Scotland is set to have a very wet spell, especially over the west and northwest Highlands where there is the risk of over 100mm of rain by the end of this weekend, Mr McGivern said.
More pulses of wet weather will be seen across large swathes of the northwest on Sunday morning, with widespread rain across Scotland into parts of northern England, the Penines, the Lake District and some outbreaks in Northern Ireland.
The significant contrasts from place to place is due to an “emerging area of high pressure extending over the Azores sitting close to the south and southwest over the weekend,” the Met Office meteorologist said.
He added: “A westerly airflow over the top of that high brings frontal systems into Scotland, and those fronts will ebb and flow. They will bring a lot of cloud, a strong breeze and outbreaks of heavy and persistent rain.”
Met Office forecast
Friday:
Most places having a fine and dry day, with plenty of warm spells of sunshine. However, it will generally be cloudier across Northern Ireland and western Scotland, with an increasing risk of showery rain here. Winds lighter than on Thursday.
Friday night:
Cloud and outbreaks of rain will continue across parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, pushing into western parts of England and Wales. Clear spells holding on across southeast England. Mild.
Saturday:
Rather cloudy in the north and west, with some patchy rain. This becoming mainly confined to western Scotland by the evening. Warm spells of sunshine developing across much of England.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Outbreaks of rain continuing for northwest Scotland, perhaps moving south at times into Northern Ireland. Mainly dry and bright elsewhere, with sunny spells. Turning hot across southern and eastern England.
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