UK heat to ease Saturday before rising again Sunday

Saturday could bring brief relief from the heat after sunshine pushed temperatures above 30C in parts of the UK on Friday.

Fresher air moving in from the west should hold temperatures down, though the southeast could still reach 27 or 28C. Most areas will stay dry with sunny spells and only a small chance of an isolated shower.

Temperatures are expected to rise again on Sunday and climb further on Monday and Tuesday as a Met Office amber warning for extreme heat takes effect.

A heatwave is declared when temperatures exceed a regional threshold of 25-28C for three consecutive days. Parts of southeast England have already recorded two days above the threshold, so a third day on Saturday could trigger an official declaration, though maximum temperatures may fall just short.

Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and northern and western England will be cooler, with afternoon highs of 16-24C.

Temperatures will start climbing again on Sunday, with sunny spells expected in most areas. Highs could reach 27-31C in parts of the Midlands, Wales and southern England. Northern England may hit 23 or 24C, while much of Scotland and Northern Ireland will stay at 20-22C away from the far north. High UV and pollen levels are forecast in many places.

The Met Office amber warning for extreme heat begins at 01:00 BST on Monday across much of southern and eastern England and parts of south Wales. It runs until 23:59 on Tuesday, with temperatures expected to peak at 34 or 35C in southeast England. A heatwave is very likely to be declared in some areas.

Overnight temperatures could remain above 20C in some locations, creating tropical nights. The combination of hot days and warm nights is likely to affect health, especially for elderly and vulnerable people. The UK Health Security Agency has already issued amber and yellow heat health alerts across large parts of England. Younger and healthier people also face risks such as sunstroke and heat exhaustion.

Travel networks and power supplies could face delays or disruption. Scattered intense thunderstorms are possible, particularly in parts of England and Wales.