A heat dome capturing warm air from North Africa is set to send temperatures soaring to 44C across southern Europe and the Mediterranean within the next 48 hours, meteorologists have warned.
A zone of high pressure is trapping heated air from North Africa, triggering temperature spikes in what is described as a "heat dome" occurrence. Exceptionally scorching conditions are anticipated across Spain, France and Italy, where an alert for extreme heat remains active.
UK forecast: 28C peaks and cloudless skies
For the remainder of Europe, including the British Isles, any periods of warm weather are likely to be more temperate and brief. Peaks of 28C and cloudless skies are predicted for southeast England on Sunday, before temperatures tumble back to the low 20s by Tuesday morning.
Wetter, more unsettled weather is meanwhile anticipated across northern England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Met Office: warm air drawn in from the south
Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: "A wet and cloudy start across the north and the west of the UK with rain pushing eastwards through the morning turning brighter across England and Wales with one or two light showers, but increasing amounts of sunshine as the afternoon progresses."
He added: "However, as the low pressure system edges nearer, parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland generally remain much cloudier with shower outbreaks of rain pushing eastwards, which could be heavy at times, accompanied by quite a gusty wind."
"But with the air coming in from the south, we are going to draw in some quite warm air for the time of year. Temperatures 25 to 28 Celsius in the best of the sunshine, across central and southern parts of England."
"Under the cloud, further north, generally the high teens to low 20s. So, a warmer feeling day for everyone compared to what we've seen today."
14 areas in line for the hottest readings
Changing conditions will take hold towards the week's end, he explained, with temperatures "turning nearer to average for the time of year" across most regions.
This weekend a total of 14 areas are in the firing line for the hottest readings. Sunseekers in Greater London, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and surrounding counties should get ready for a last-minute scorcher.
Inland spots shielded from coastal breezes stand the best chance of basking in the highest temperatures, sending Brits flocking straight to parks, gardens and pub beer gardens.
The 14 hottest areas are London, Reading, Bristol, Oxford, St Albans, Cambridge, Northampton, Stratford-upon-Avon, Coventry, Huntingdon, Gloucester, Worcester and Ely.
