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Image source, Getty Images
Parched grass in London's Wimbledon Common on Saturday, as drought conditions still persist in two-thirds of England
ByElizabeth Rizzini
Lead Weather Presenter
Temperatures could touch 28C (82F) in parts of the UK on Sunday as summer-like warmth makes a brief return.
A southerly wind will draw in a shot of hot and humid air from the near continent, pushing UK temperatures above average.
The hottest locations in south-east England could reach 27 or 28C (82F), while England and Wales more widely will see temperatures in the mid-20s Celsius.
It comes as parts of central and southern Europe have been experiencing a spell of intense heat, with some locations exceeding 45C.
Where is the warm air coming from?
High pressure has been building in from the south where temperatures across continental Europe have been particularly high.
France and Spain have been among the hottest locations this week with temperatures exceeding 40C at times.
On Thursday, Spain saw its hottest day of 2026. Huelva in the south-west reached a staggering 45.7C.
The hottest spots in Spain will continue to exceed 40C this weekend and early next week, even around the Erbo valley in the north, which typically see temperatures closer to 20C this time of year.
Parts of southern France, including the Ardeche region, will see temperatures in the high 30s for the next few days, possibly touching 40C locally.
Image source, BBC Weather
As low pressure approaches north-western Scotland, high pressure retreats eastwards and a southerly wind develops
For the UK on Sunday, an area of low pressure will approach the north west of Scotland.
This will bring heavy rain for northern Scotland, and showers further south through the morning. It will be unseasonably blustery for western Scotland will gusts here of up to 40-45mph.
However, the wind will turn more southerly and this will scoop up the hot, humid air from the south.
The sunshine that will develop for many later in the day across England, Wales and eastern Scotland will allow temperatures to rise to unseasonable levels.
How warm will it get and how long will it last?
Across the south-east of England, central-southern England and the Welsh marches temperatures through the afternoon are likely to peak in the mid-20s Celsius quite widely.
Some spots could even reach 28C.
South-west England and eastern Wales could hit 25C, while northern England will sit around the low 20s Celsius.
For eastern areas of Northern Ireland and around the Moray Firth in eastern Scotland, afternoon highs could peak at around 21 or 22C.
Average temperatures in early September are between 15 and 21C from north to south.
Image source, BBC Weather
The warmth 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, it will be even windier for north-west Scotland with coastal gales possible.
Showery outbreaks of rain will push west to east and, behind this cold front, temperatures will be lower by Tuesday.
Wednesday is forecast to be more settled with another brief ridge of high pressure but it will be cooler.
For a full look at September, read our monthly outlook here.
