London: A heatwave is unlikely to return to the UK over the next 10 days, despite a brief spell of summer-like warmth as hot air spreads north from Europe.
Temperatures will rise across the UK through the weekend as winds turn more southerly. The warmer conditions are linked to an intense spell of heat affecting central and southern Europe, where temperatures have exceeded 40C in several areas.
France and Spain have been among the hottest parts of Europe this week. The extreme heat is expected to intensify across central and eastern areas over the next few days. Some of that warmer air will reach the UK before cooler Atlantic conditions return next week.
Hot and dusty air moved from north Africa towards the Iberian Peninsula. Sunny conditions and dry ground helps temperatures climb sharply. El Granado in south-west Spain reached 45.7C (114F), the country’s highest temperature recorded this year. The timing has been unusual because annual maximum temperatures typically occur during July and August.
Orange extreme heat warnings remain in place through September 5 across Spain, southern France, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. The hottest parts of Spain are expected to remain above 40C through the weekend and into early next week. Temperatures could also exceed 40C around the Ebro valley in northern Spain.
Southern France is facing several days of high temperatures, with areas including the Ardèche region potentially reaching the high 30s and touching 40C locally. Greece and Turkey have seen temperatures ease this week, although some areas could still reach the high 30s early next week. Sea surface temperatures across the central Mediterranean remain well above average and are around 4C higher than normal in some locations.
The UK will become warmer as southerly winds bring air from further south. September 6 is expected to be the warmest day of the weekend, although rain will affect parts of the country, particularly the north-west. England and Wales will generally reach the low to mid 20s Celsius, while parts of south-east England could reach 27C or 28C.
Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to record temperatures between 15C and 20C. The warmer conditions are expected to fade quickly as fresher Atlantic air and rain-bearing fronts move across the UK through next week. A return to heatwave conditions is not expected during the next 10 days, meaning the weekend warmth is likely to remain a short-lived spell rather than the start of another prolonged heatwave.
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