Parts of central and southern Europe have experienced temperatures above 40C this week, with hot weather forecast to intensify across central and eastern areas over the next few days.

El Granado in south-west Spain reached 45.7C on Thursday, the country’s highest temperature recorded this year. The report said it was unusual for the annual maximum temperature to occur outside July and August.

Orange extreme heat warnings are in force through Saturday in parts of Spain, southern France, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Temperatures in the hottest parts of Spain are expected to remain above 40C this weekend and early next week, while parts of southern France could see temperatures in the high 30s and possibly 40C locally.

Brief warm spell for the UK

Warmer air will move into the UK this weekend as winds turn more southerly. Sunday is expected to be the warmest day, although rain is possible, particularly in the north-west.

Temperatures across England and Wales are forecast to reach the low to mid-20s Celsius, with parts of south-east England potentially reaching 27C or 28C. Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to see temperatures of around 15C to 20C.

The warmer conditions are forecast to fade quickly as fresher Atlantic air and rain-bearing fronts arrive next week. A return to heatwave conditions is considered unlikely over the following 10 days.