Heat exceeds 40C in parts of Europe - is a September heatwave in store for the UK?

Heat exceeds 40C in parts of Europe - is a September heatwave in store for the UK? By Sarah Keith-Lucas Lead Weather Presenter The United Kingdom is set to experience a brief burst of summer‑like weather this week as hot air from central and southern Europe moves northward. France and Spain have recorded the highest temperatures on the continent, with readings exceeding 40C at times. Forecasts indicate the heat will intensify over central and eastern areas in the coming days, and a portion of that warmth will drift toward the UK, raising temperatures through the week before cooler Atlantic air arrives next week. Why is Europe so hot again? Earlier this week a mass of hot, dusty air moved north from Africa onto the Iberian Peninsula, where it strengthened under clear skies and over dry ground. On Thursday, El Granado in southwest Spain reached 45.7C (114F), the nation’s highest temperature logged this year. It is atypical for the annual maximum to occur outside of July and August. The hot air has since spread northward and eastward across other parts of southern Europe. Orange extreme heat warnings remain in effect through Saturday in Spain, southern France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia. The hottest locations in Spain are expected to stay above 40C this week and into early next week, even in areas such as the Ebro valley in the north, where temperatures normally hover near 20C for this season. Parts of southern France, including the Ardeche region, will see highs in the mid‑ to upper‑30s for the next few days, with local peaks possibly touching 40C. Further east, air temperatures in Greece and Turkey have eased this week, but a few days early next week could still reach the high 30s. Sea‑surface temperatures in the central Mediterranean remain well above average, running about 4C higher than normal in many spots. Is a heatwave heading for the UK? Warmer air will push into the United Kingdom this week as winds shift to a more southerly direction. However, the heat will not match the intensity felt farther south, owing to the short‑lived nature of the southerly flow and an increase in cloud cover. Sunday is forecast to be the warmest day of the weekend, although some rain is expected, especially in the northwest. Across England and Wales temperatures will mostly lie in the low to mid‑20s Celsius, with the southeast potentially reaching 27 or 28C. Scotland and Northern Ireland are likely to see readings between 15 and 20C — cooler than the south but still several degrees above the seasonal average. The warm spell is projected to fade quickly as fresher Atlantic air and rain‑bearing fronts move in early next week. A return to heatwave conditions is considered unlikely over the next ten days. For the latest extended outlook, readers can consult BBC Weather’s monthly forecast.