UK weather: Heatwave with highs of 32C to hit the country in time for bank holiday weekend

A two-week heatwave is set to hit the UK just in time for the August Bank Holiday on 29 August. Temperatures are expected to begin rising by the end of this week, with highs of 28C seen by the end of this weekend and throughout next week. According to the Weather Outlook, the two-week "Spanish Plume" - a blast of air from Spain - could see temperatures beat July's record of 33.5C for the warmest day of the year.

Although northern parts of the country, as well as Scotland, are set to be more unsettled with some wet spells, these regions could also see highs of 27C at times.

Southern and eastern parts of England are set to see the best of the heatwave conditions. An official heatwave is registered when maximum temperatures rise above the average (26C) by 5C for more than five consecutive days, which is likely to happen towards the end of this month.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: "There is the potential for things to turn hot for the beginning of next week. An area of low pressure looks likely to drag air up from the south across the UK. Despite being a week ahead, temperatures of 30-32C look more likely than not across some southern parts of the UK."

Meanwhile, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has issued warnings for the hot weekend, particularly for people who are planning on going to the beach to enjoy the sunshine. A spokesperson for the agency advised people to take precautions when going to beaches that don't have lifeguards.

The RNLI spokesperson said: "Our key advice for people planning a trip to the beach, especially those planning to go in the water, is to choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags, where the lifeguards can see you. Make sure you stay safe and remember your day at the beach for the right reasons."

Before the heatwave kicks in, Britons have been warned to prepare for colder weather as a blast from the Arctic hits the country. Channel 4 weather services noted that there is a possibility of frost in rural areas of the north as temperatures drop 5-10C below the average.

Forecasters at the Weather Outlook said that maximum temperatures in the early half of this week (8 – 10 August) will be lower than in recent days, with cooler air originating from the Arctic pushing into the country from the northwest. Temperatures could vary between 10C in the north to 20C in the south east, with some showery outbreaks of rain expected by 10 August in the north and some parts of the south.