UK weather: Heatwave conditions set to return as temperatures could hit 32C over weekend

Heatwave conditions are predicted for parts of the UK this weekend, with heat health alerts already in effect ahead of possible highs of 33C (91.4F) early next week.

Some areas of the country are set to be hotter than Barbados, according to forecasters.

The Met Office said temperatures are expected to climb steadily into the high 20s later this week, with southern England close to 30C (86F) by Friday and 32C (89.6F) on Sunday, with the potential for 33C by Monday.

Also, East Anglia could have temperatures of 32C on Friday.

See the weather forecast where you are

The eastern Caribbean island of Barbados is set to see temperatures fluctuate between 26C and 30C on Sunday, according to the Met Office.

Heatwave criteria are likely set to be met in some areas in the south and southeast of England by Saturday, and more widely on Sunday.

That comes after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the yellow heat health alerts earlier this week, which apply to the East of England, East Midlands, London and the South East from 3pm on Wednesday until 8pm on Monday.

Sky News meteorologist Christopher England said: "High pressure will bring hot continental air and plenty of sunshine across southern parts of Britain over the next few days, and especially the South East, with 33C possible by Monday."

However, he added that a "briefer, somewhat cooler, cloudier and damper interlude" is set for Saturday, while "prolonged high temperatures will bring the chance of heatwave conditions over some southeastern parts by Saturday".

Elsewhere, Met Office deputy chief forecaster Gregory Wolverson said that "more unsettled conditions passing to the northwest of the UK while heat builds in the south and east" is what we're likely to see from Friday.

"As we move towards the weekend, we'll see conditions become more widely settled and temperatures rise all round," he added.

He then said that "while temperatures may be high, we might not all see the wall-to-wall sunshine and blue skies we experienced back in May", during a record-breaking heatwave across the UK.

That heatwave saw at least 15 people die in water-related incidents across the UK, including nine children.

Explainer: What is cold water shock?

"There is also a chance of thunderstorms developing in places," Mr Wolverson added, "particularly later each day, which could bring heavy showers and localised impacts".

After peak heat on Monday, the Met Office said temperatures could peak again across southern and southeastern England on Tuesday, but added there is uncertainty on how quickly conditions will begin to cool after.

See more from Sky News:
Clarkson announces cancer diagnosis
The programmes being axed by BBC
Details of Trump's Iran 'deal' outlined

What is the heatwave criteria?

For a heatwave to be declared, temperatures must exceed a daily maximum for three days in a row.

That max temperature varies from area to area:

• For Scotland, Northern Ireland, much of western Wales and northern England, and Cornwall and Devon, temperatures must exceed 25C;
• In areas like Hull, Cardiff and Bournemouth, that threshold is 26C;
• Some of the Home Counties and part of the Midlands declare a heatwave when it's 27C;
• And London, Surrey, Cambridge and Oxford have the highest thresholds at 28C.

(c) Sky News 2026: UK weather: Heatwave conditions set to return as temperatures could hit 32C over weekend