The hot weather is set to continue this weekend, hitting highs of 29C despite forecasts of rain.
The highest temperatures are forecast on Saturday in London, and it will reach 28C in Birmingham and 18C in Manchester.
A yellow heat health alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) over fears the hot weather could have an impact across health and social care services and put vulnerable people at risk.
Following three heatwaves and several hosepipe bans, the UK is preparing to see some “much-needed rain” this weekend.
Showers are expected to roll in across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland on Saturday evening, before spreading further across the UK on Sunday.
Scotland could see 20mm of rainfall, but forecasters have predicted the rain will be patchier in the South and East, with most of England and Wales forecast to see only a few millimetres of rainfall.
Met Office chief forecaster Steve Willington said: “The high pressure has been a key feature of the UK’s weather forecast over the last few weeks, bringing above-average temperatures and extremely dry conditions for many.
“However, we will begin to see a modest change as a weak weather front pushes south across the UK on Saturday bringing some much-needed rain, albeit light and mainly concentrated in the north and west. Behind the front, a showery air mass will bring potentially heavy showers, some of which may be thundery.”
Greg Wolverson, Met Office deputy chief forecaster, explained cooler weather can be expected from Sunday onwards, but temperatures will remain average for the time of year.
He explained Atlantic-dominated weather fronts will push in from the West next week and bring some rain, but in between there will be brighter spells, which in the July sunshine should elevate temperatures to the mid-twenties.
“Although there is a return to rain in the forecast, we have just come out of an exceptionally dry spell and the forecast rain is unlikely to be widespread or substantial,” he said. “Many areas are likely to continue experiencing prevailing dry conditions for the foreseeable future, especially in southern England.”
The rain comes as hosepipe bans have come into force across parts of South East England and parts of West Wales. Central and south-east England have seen the longest unbroken spell of no recorded rainfall this century, Met Office figures suggest.
An average of zero rainfall has been measured across the organisation’s weather stations in both regions for 14 days in a row, from July 2 to July 15.
Due to potential water shortages households across the country have been advised to limit their water use, with some companies asking customers to pause hosepipe activity where possible, while other areas, such as those served by Thames Water and South East Water have a full ban.
Five-day Met Office weather forecast
Friday
Dry with plenty of sunshine for much England and Wales. Cloudier across parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland with patchy rain, although some brighter spells developing at times. Feeling warm for many and hot towards the South East.
Friday night
A weakening band of cloud and rain moving across Scotland and Northern Ireland this evening, with further rain arriving into Scotland overnight. Remaining dry with clear spells elsewhere.
Saturday
Band of rain across Scotland moving southeastwards and turning increasingly showery. Remaining dry, sunny and very warm across southern areas, with brighter and fresher conditions following across Scotland.
Sunday to Tuesday
Fresher for all on Sunday with sunny spells and some showers. Remaining changeable early next week across the North, but potentially turning dry and very warm again in the South.
