Following a sudden drop in temperatures after the UK’s fourth heatwave of the year, the country is set to experience a brief return to milder conditions. The Met Office forecasts that high-pressure systems will settle over the UK, bringing a period of warmer weather for the upcoming weekend. This shift in weather is expected to bring some sunshine and pleasant temperatures, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities.
The Mirror reports that, while the heat won’t reach the extremes of previous weeks, the forecast signals a welcome change in conditions across the nation, with improved weather for many regions.
High Pressure Builds for a Sunny Weekend
The latest weather updates from the Met Office reveal that the UK will experience a period of pleasant warmth this weekend. High pressure will gradually build towards the country, pushing the recent cooler conditions aside. While temperatures won’t reach the extreme highs of previous heatwaves, many parts of the UK are expected to enjoy mild and sunny weather, with minimal rainfall in sight.
In their X post, the Met Office stated:
High pressure will be building towards the weekend to provide a largely settled picture 🌤️
— Met Office (@metoffice) August 20, 2025
Temperatures will climb slightly as well – not as high as the recent heat, but some pleasant warmth 🌡️
Stay up to date with the forecast to see if this holds on for bank holiday Monday pic.twitter.com/URNiUshGyn
For cities like Greater Manchester, highs of 24°C are expected, with minimal chances of significant rain. Light winds will help make conditions more comfortable, with plenty of sunny spells throughout the weekend. The Met Office also notes,
“Stay up to date with the forecast to see if this holds on for Bank Holiday Monday.”
Summer 2025 on Track to Break Records
Despite the current shift in temperatures, this summer has already proven to be one of the warmest in recent history. The UK’s average temperature from June to mid-August has been recorded at 16.2°C, which is 1.6°C above the long-term meteorological average. This persistent warmth has resulted from a combination of dry ground, high-pressure systems, and unusually warm sea temperatures surrounding the UK.
Met Office scientist Emily Carlisle revealed,
“It’s looking like this summer is on track to be one of the warmest, if not ‘the’ warmest, since the series began in 1884. What’s striking is the consistency of the warmth. June and July were both well above average, and even outside of heatwaves, temperatures have remained on the warmer side.”
This consistency has been driven by factors like dry spring ground, high-pressure systems, and warmer-than-usual sea temperatures.
While this summer has yet to break any high-temperature records (35.8°C is the highest recorded so far this year), the overall trend of sustained above-average temperatures is what stands out. The Met Office further explains that
“This persistent warmth is creating an environment where heat builds quickly and lingers.”
