Temperatures Top 40C in Parts of Europe. Could the UK Face a September Heatwave?

A quick burst of summer-like weather will reach the UK this weekend as hot air gripping central and southern Europe moves north. France and Spain have recorded temperatures above 40C at times this week, and the heat is expected to intensify across central and eastern Europe over the next few days.

The warm air will briefly lift UK temperatures before cooler conditions arrive next week. Sunday should be the warmest day, although rain is likely, particularly in the northwest. England and Wales will generally reach the low to mid-20s Celsius, with parts of southeast England possibly reaching 27C or 28C. Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to see 15C to 20C, still several degrees above the seasonal average.

The European heat began when hot, dusty air moved from North Africa onto the Iberian Peninsula. Sunny skies and dry ground helped temperatures rise. El Granado in southwestern Spain reached 45.7C on Thursday, the country's highest temperature recorded this year. That is unusual because annual maximum temperatures typically occur in July or August.

Much of central and southern Europe has been around 10C above average, with the hottest conditions in Spain and France. Orange extreme-heat warnings remain in force through Saturday in Spain, southern France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia. The hottest parts of Spain are expected to stay above 40C through the weekend and into early next week, including the Ebro valley, where temperatures are normally closer to 20C at this time of year.

Southern France could see temperatures in the high 30s, with some places approaching 40C. Greece and Turkey have cooled this week, but some areas may still reach the high 30s early next week. Sea temperatures in the central Mediterranean remain well above average, by about 4C in places. In the UK, the warmth will fade quickly as fresher Atlantic air arrives.