An initial burst of warm weather being drawn northwards from France on Wednesday will mean there is a chance temperatures could reach 28°C in the London area. A cold front will bring cooler conditions for Thursday and Friday before air with origins over the tropical Atlantic brings a return of warm conditions into the weekend.

Although there is uncertainty over how high the top temperature will be this weekend, there is a chance central and southeastern areas of England could reach as high as 30°C. Most places across central and southern England and Wales will be in the mid to high 20°Cs, although it will be cooler near western, and some southern coasts, where sea breezes develop.

Chief Meteorologist Steve Ramsdale said: “With high pressure building from the south west and warm air being drawn up from the Azores, the south will see some warm and sunny weather redeveloping from late Friday through into the weekend. We expect the settled conditions to remain into the weekend but just how high temperatures will get is still uncertain.

“However, the warm, sunny weather is unlikely to affect all areas of the UK, with a north/south split in place. Although still rather warm in the north there will be rain or showers and more cloud at times. It may turn cooler in the far north by Sunday.

UV levels in the UK are usually highest between April and October, particularly between 11am and 3pm, and with very high UV forecast for the next few days in the south people should take care when outside enjoying the warm weather. Away from central and southern parts UV levels will be moderate.

Met Office spokeswoman Penny Tranter said: “Clouds don’t always stop UV rays, and unlike the sun’s warmth, it’s difficult to know when they may be harming you. Burning just once every two years can triple your risk of skin cancer. So it’s important to keep up to date with our UV forecast so you know when it’s essential to protect your skin and eyes from damage. You can do this by going into shade, wearing clothing and sunglasses which shield you from the sun, and using sunscreen on unprotected skin.”

Looking ahead, this pattern of weather is likely to continue, with hot conditions lasting into next week in the south. Dry and settled conditions should persist into the early part of next week with the north and particularly the north west remaining more changeable with a mix of rain and sunny spells.  So, it’s currently too early to say what weather to expect for those heading for Glastonbury Festival the following weekend.

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