A heatwave could hit parts of the UK this weekend, with temperatures up and down the country set to rocket.

A heatwave is declared when the temperature meets or exceeds the threshold for at least three days in a row – which is looking increasingly likely this weekend.

It comes after warm weather across the UK over the past few weeks saw people flock to beaches and parks around the country – prompting caution from public health officials for people to continue to follow social distancing guidelines.

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High pressure from the Azores means that the UK will see warm, settled and sunny weather across the Midlands and the southeast of England.

However, there is still some Atlantic influence, with weak weather fronts bringing cloudier skies and spells of rain over northern and western parts.

But into the weekend the jet stream looks to buckle and push north, allowing for high pressure to dominate over the UK and Ireland.

This will mean more settled, dry and sunny weather, and in turn temperatures will rise even further. Some parts of England and Wales could experience a heatwave that may last into the middle of next week.

The highest temperatures look to be for the southeast of England – most likely the London area – where highs close to 30C (86F) are forecast. Meanwhile, the rest of Wales and England could see temperatures reach highs of 21C (69.8F) to 28C (82.4F).

The heatwave threshold varies by area, as it reflects the differences in climate across the UK, and is calculated using the 1981-2010 climatology of daily maximum temperatures at the mid-point of the meteorological summer (15 July).

The thresholds for the UK are:

• Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, the South West and north of England is 25C (77F)

• Lincolnshire across to Cheshire, down to Dorset and the Isle of Wight is 26C (78.8F)

• The Midlands, East Anglia and the home counties is 27C (80.6F)

• London and Greater London is 28C (82.4F)

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