Wednesday
High pressure brings fine weather and light winds to most of the British Isles while keeping rain bearing fronts away from much of us and bringing hot conditions in the south and extensive strong sunshine. A little more cloud toward northwest Scotland with some patchy rain here and a southwesterly breeze prevails. Expect a strong easterly breeze along the south coast too. Top temperatures 29 to 33C for much of England and Wales, 23 to 27C for northwest England, Scotland and Ireland.

Wednesday night
Overnight, cloudier skies continue across the very far north of Scotland with some rain for the islands, while the odd local mist and fog patch developing in spots, though perhaps more widespread across Northern Ireland. Otherwise, dry with clear skies. Lows at 11 to 15C in the north, though across central and southern England and Wales not dropping much below 15C for many.

Thursday
A weak front brings cloud and some patchy rain to the West and Northern Isles of Scotland still through Thursday. Otherwise it stays dry, sunny and hot for many under high pressure. Some misty low cloud could affect some eastern coasts, but this breaking to leave sunny spells. Highs at 34C in central-southern England and south Wales, 24 to 28C for Cumbria, Scotland and Ireland. Cooler if in cloud but also the sea breezes on the east coast, also northwest Scotland, 20C or below.

Friday
Staying very warm or hot. High pressure centred toward the north allows a southeasterly breeze to prevail. Sunshine and quite hazy skies across England and Wales. Possible some low cloud or fog near some North Sea coasts. A weak front across nothern Scotland will bring thicker cloud and patchy rain here. Otherwise another dry day. Highs 31 to 35C for central and southern areas, 23 to 28C north and near coasts.