Temperatures across the United Kingdom are forecast to reach 28C (82F) in parts of the south-east on Sunday as a burst of summer-like warmth makes a fleeting appearance before conditions turn cooler and wetter early next week.
A southerly wind will channel hot and humid air from continental Europe into the UK, pushing temperatures well above their early September average. The warmest locations in south-east England could reach 27 or 28C, while England and Wales more broadly will experience mid-20s Celsius conditions. However, according to meteorological forecasters, this warmth will fade quickly as fresher Atlantic air and rain-bearing fronts move in through the following week, making a return to heatwave conditions unlikely over the next 10 days.
The brief warm spell arrives as parts of central and southern Europe have been gripped by intense heat. France and Spain have experienced particularly elevated temperatures this week, with readings exceeding 40C at times. On Thursday, 5 September 2026, Spain recorded its hottest day of the year when Huelva in the south-west reached 45.7C. The hottest regions of Spain are expected to continue exceeding 40C this weekend and into early next week, with even the Erbo valley in the north—which typically sees temperatures around 20C at this time of year—experiencing unusually high readings. Parts of southern France, including the Ardeche region, will see temperatures in the high 30s for the next few days, with some locations possibly touching 40C.
Where is the warm air coming from?
High pressure has been building northward from the south, where continental European temperatures have reached exceptional levels. This system is drawing the hot air mass toward the UK as it develops and strengthens.
On Sunday, an area of low pressure will approach the north-west of Scotland. This system will bring heavy rain to northern Scotland and showers further south through the morning, with unseasonably strong winds affecting western Scotland, where gusts could reach 40-45mph. As the low pressure system advances, the high pressure retreats eastward and a southerly wind develops. This wind shift will scoop up the hot, humid air from the continent, and as sunshine develops for many locations later in the day across England, Wales and eastern Scotland, temperatures will rise to unseasonable levels.
How warm will it get across different regions?
Across the south-east of England, central-southern England and the Welsh marches, afternoon temperatures are likely to peak in the mid-20s Celsius quite widely, with some spots potentially reaching 28C. South-west England and eastern Wales could hit 25C, while northern England will experience low 20s Celsius conditions. For eastern areas of Northern Ireland and around the Moray Firth in eastern Scotland, afternoon highs could peak at around 21 or 22C. According to weather services, Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to be around 15-20C, several degrees above average for early September.
To put this in perspective, average temperatures in early September typically range between 15 and 21C from north to south across the UK. The warmth on Sunday will therefore represent a significant but temporary departure from normal conditions.
How long will this warm spell last?
The heat will be short-lived. As high pressure moves away to the east, the area of low pressure will drive more weather fronts across the UK. By Monday, conditions will become even windier for north-west Scotland, with coastal gales possible. Showery outbreaks of rain will push from west to east, and behind this cold front, temperatures will drop noticeably by Tuesday. Wednesday is forecast to be more settled with another brief ridge of high pressure, but conditions will be cooler overall.
According to the Met Office national forecast, a more settled trend is expected from around the following weekend and beyond, with longer dry interludes especially in the south and south-west, though temperatures will only be close to average overall. The long-range outlook points to changeable weather initially, then more settled conditions from around mid-September, with temperatures remaining near average.
What about drought conditions?
This brief warm spell arrives amid ongoing drought concerns across southern England and Wales. The UK government's latest drought summary notes that dry and sunny conditions will continue through Saturday, with Sunday bringing heavy rain to the far north and Monday turning bright with a chance of showers. Despite the temporary warmth and rainfall expected in the north, drought monitoring remains active, particularly in the southern half of England and Wales where hosepipe bans have been in effect.
What happens next?
Following the brief warm spell, the UK will experience a transition to cooler, wetter conditions through the first half of the week. The next government drought summary covering 4-10 September 2026 will provide updated information on how the weekend rainfall and changing conditions affect drought status across affected regions. Beyond the immediate forecast period, meteorological services expect a more settled pattern to develop from mid-September onward, with the south and west seeing longer dry interludes while rain or showers become more likely in the north and east.
