Britain is bracing for a burst of early summer heat, with temperatures set to climb as high as 26C in parts of the country just in time for the bank holiday weekend.
After a spell of unsettled weather and below-average temperatures, forecasters say a warm and increasingly humid air mass will sweep across the UK from Thursday, bringing sunshine and rising temperatures for many.
Where temperatures could hit 26C next week in the UK
According to the Met Office, the warmest conditions are expected in central and eastern England, where the mercury could peak at 26C.
Areas most likely to see the highest temperatures include:
- Greater London
- Cambridgeshire
- Parts of the South East and East of England
Elsewhere, much of England is forecast to see highs ranging between 22C and 25C, with slightly cooler conditions along coastal regions.
Day-by-day heatwave temperatures in the UK next week
The warmer weather will build steadily through the week before peaking over the bank holiday weekend.
- Thursday: Temperatures begin to rise, reaching around 22C in the South East and near 20C across much of England.
- Friday: Conditions turn warmer and more humid, with highs of up to 26C in London and eastern counties.
- Saturday: Slight dip in temperatures, with highs of around 24C in the South East and 20C to 23C elsewhere.
- Sunday: Heat returns, with 26C possible again in London and up to 25C across the South East.
- Bank Holiday Monday: Warm and settled, with highs near 25C in southern regions and slightly cooler conditions further north.
- The heat intensifies as the week progresses, with forecast charts for Wednesday and Thursday showing parts of England turning orange and red, as temperatures climb to 27C and 28C
While southern and central areas will enjoy the best of the sunshine, northern England and Scotland may see more cloud and occasional rain as humidity increases.
Despite this, temperatures across most of the UK are expected to remain above average, with many areas still experiencing warm conditions.
Looking beyond the bank holiday, the Met Office says high pressure is likely to remain dominant, keeping conditions largely dry, settled, and warmer than normal.
Although some northern regions could see brief spells of rain, much of the country can expect continued sunshine and light winds into next week.
