Met Office Names 31 Areas Facing 34°C Heatwave on Saturday

The Met Office has issued a heat warning for 31 areas across the UK, with temperatures expected to reach up to 34°C on Saturday, particularly in eastern and south-eastern England. The scorching conditions will persist in these regions before cooler, more unsettled Atlantic weather sweeps in from Sunday.

Heat Warning and Temperature Peaks

According to the Met Office, a "big change is on the way" following this week's high temperatures. However, relief will not arrive simultaneously across the country. Eastern England is forecast to hold onto the heat longer than other regions, with temperatures still exceeding 30°C on Saturday.

Met Office meteorologist Aiden McGivern explained on the forecaster's YouTube channel that conditions will shift as "low pressure systems in from the Atlantic, bring back a return to cooler weather, but also much more changeable weather through the weekend and into next week."

—

Wide Pickt banner — collaborative shopping lists app for Telegram, phone mockup with grocery list

Saturday's Weather Divide

While the change is anticipated to reach "virtually all parts" of the UK by Sunday, Saturday will see a pronounced divide. McGivern added: "As we go into Saturday, it's still a very warm start to the day across eastern and southeastern parts of the country. Feeling fresher further west."

He highlighted that wind direction will make the difference: "That breeze coming in from the southwest will certainly make it feel a little fresher in the north and west on Saturday compared with further east because actually in the east it is another hot day." Temperatures in the east could still be remarkably high, with mercury levels broadly surpassing 30°C and highs of up to 34°C in London and East Anglia.

Sunday's Cooler Outlook

Despite the temperature dip, Sunday will shape up to be a pleasant summer's day for most. "It will actually be a fine summer's day for many parts of England and Wales even if we've lost the heat and humidity," McGivern said. Temperatures are anticipated to fall to 27°C in the southeast, dropping to the high teens and low 20s across Scotland, Northern Ireland, Northern England, Wales and the West of England.

However, McGivern warned that the warmth won't fade everywhere simultaneously, with "that heat clinging on for the longest in the east of England."