The United Kingdom is set to experience its third heatwave of the year this weekend, with temperatures rising primarily in the southern and southeastern regions. On Friday, the southeast of England is forecast to reach highs of around 27 degrees Celsius, while much of southern England will see temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius.

According to Aidan McGivern, a meteorologist at the Met Office, this heatwave is expected to be less intense and less humid compared to the one experienced in June, with a more limited geographic impact. "It’s not going to be as hot or as humid, so not quite as uncomfortable, and not quite as impactful. It also will not affect the whole of the UK," McGivern said.

Further north, temperatures will remain cooler, generally staying in the high teens Celsius. Scotland, in particular, will see more modest temperatures, with highs around 16 to 17 degrees Celsius. The region is also expected to experience significant rainfall, especially across the west and northwest Highlands, where accumulations could exceed 100 millimeters by the end of the weekend, McGivern added.

Saturday is expected to bring the warmest conditions of the weekend, with London forecast to see temperatures reaching up to 29 degrees Celsius. The warming trend is anticipated to continue into the first part of next week, with Monday potentially seeing highs of 31 degrees Celsius in the capital.

While much of southern and southeastern England will be hot and dry, Scotland’s contrasting wet and cool conditions highlight the varied weather patterns affecting different parts of the UK during this period.