Heat exceeds 40C in parts of Europe - is a September heatwave in store for the UK?

The UK will see a quick burst of summer-like weather this weekend as hot air gripping central and southern Europe spreads northward.

France and Spain have been among the hottest locations this week with temperatures exceeding 40C at times.

The extreme heat is forecast to intensify for central and eastern areas over the next few days.

As it does, some of that warmth will briefly head towards the UK, causing temperatures to rise through the weekend before cooler air arrives next week.

Earlier this week hot and dusty air moved out of north Africa and onto the Iberian Peninsula where it has intensified under sunny skies and the impact of dry ground underneath.

On Thursday, El Granado in south-west Spain reached 45.7C (114F), the country's highest temperature recorded this year.

It is very unusual for the annual maximum temperature to occur outside of July and August.

The hotter weather has since spread northwards and eastwards into other parts of southern Europe.

Orange extreme heat warnings are in force through Saturday in Spain, southern France, Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Serbia.

The hottest spots in Spain will continue to exceed 40C this weekend and early next week, even around the Erbo valley in the north, which typically see temperatures closer to 20C this time of year.

Parts of southern France, including the Ardeche region, will see temperatures in the high 30s for the next few days, possibly touching 40C locally.

Further east, the air temperature in Greece and Turkey has been easing this week, but there could still be a few days early next week in the high 30s.

Sea surface temperatures in the central Mediterranean, however, remain well above average, by around 4C in places.

Warmer air will push into the UK this weekend as winds turn more southerly. However, it will not be as extreme as the heat gripping places further south.

This due to the short-lived nature of the southerly winds and an increase in cloud.

Sunday will be the warmest day of the weekend, although there will be some rain, especially in the north-west.

Temperatures across England and Wales will generally be in the low to mid 20s Celsius, though parts of the south-east could record 27 or 28C.

Scotland and Northern Ireland will be around 15 to 20C - not as warm as further south but still several degrees above average for the time of year.

The warmth is forecast to fade quickly as fresher Atlantic air and rain-bearing fronts are likely to arrive through next week.

A return to heatwave conditions is unlikely through the next 10 days.

Keep up with the latest longer range forecast by reading BBC Weather's monthly outlook.