Weekend heat for parts of UK before more rain next week

Temperatures will rise across parts of the United Kingdom this weekend, with the south potentially reaching 27C on Sunday. Before then, low-pressure systems moving in from the Atlantic will bring wet and windy conditions to much of the northern half of the country on Friday.

Friday will bring cooler weather to central and southern England and south Wales, with morning rain followed by sunny spells. Temperatures could still reach 22C. Northern England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and north Wales will see breezy conditions, sunny periods and scattered showers, some heavy in the west. Gales are expected along exposed coasts and hills in western Scotland.

Saturday should be fine and dry in England and Wales as warmer air from France moves across the country. Scotland and Northern Ireland will also have substantial dry weather, although western areas could see showers. On Sunday, Northern Ireland and western Scotland are expected to be cloudy and damp, while England and Wales could feel hot in the strongest sunshine. South-east England may reach 27C, with temperatures of up to 24C in northern and south-west England and Wales.

The warmth may not last. Atlantic weather systems are likely to bring westerly winds and periods of rain next week. A deep low-pressure system could produce stormy conditions on Tuesday, but forecasters said it was too early to predict the location or strength of the strongest winds and heaviest rain.