On Thursday, the Met Office recorded 32.6C in Surrey - the hottest day of the year so far.

The forecaster also believes the country could have six days of 30C heat for the first time in September.

Sky News weather producer Steff Gaulter said there is a "good chance" Saturday will be the hottest day of the year, with temperatures expected to climb to a sweaty 33C.

But this won't last long as cooler weather begins to spread by the start of next week, she added.

"This weekend is also when we'll see the hot weather start to break down," she said.

"Because there's so much heat around giving so much energy to the atmosphere, there's also the risk we could see some pretty active thunderstorms pop up on Sunday."

Here's how the forecast looks in your area:

Northeast

It's expected to be a bright start to Saturday, with a chance of some showers through the afternoon, which could be heavy at times.

Temperatures will remain high for most of the day, as Newcastle is forecast highs of 25C and Middlesbrough 28C.

It's a different picture on Sunday, as cloudy skies bring the risk of heavy, thundery showers. The region can expect highs between 21C and 23C.

Northwest

Saturday will be warm and mostly dry, despite a small chance of thundery weather in the afternoon.

Temperatures can get as high as 28C in the day and it will stay as warm as 23C into the evening.

While the chance of rain increases on Sunday, it will stay warm and humid for most as the top temperature is expected to match Saturday.

As the weekend draws to a close, temperatures will start to drop.

Check the five-day forecast in your area

West Midlands

Early fog will clear on Saturday morning to make way for a warm and dry day, with highs of 31C in some parts.

Birmingham and Coventry can expect temperatures of around 29C, with the occasional cloud cover, and Wolverhampton should hover at around 28C later in the day.

Like much of the UK, there is a small chance of some showers - even thunder - in the afternoon.

Sunday brings a higher risk of rain, which could turn heavy and thundery, but it will stay warm and humid with highs of around 27C.

Southwest

It's another warm day across the southwest on Saturday, with highs of 27C in Plymouth and around 25C into Cornwall.

There is a chance of showers as the day goes on, but the risk is higher on Sunday, when temperatures will begin to drop to around 23C and thunderstorms are possible.

Southeast

Areas in and around London and Surrey could see the hottest temperatures in the UK on Saturday as the thermometer is expected to rise to 32C - and possibly slightly higher.

It's likely to be slightly cooler around coastal areas, but still well into the high 20s.

Sunday will also stay predominantly warm with long sunny spells.

East Anglia

It will stay warm and sunny around the region, with Norwich experiencing highs of 30C on Saturday, like much of the surrounding parts.

There is a chance of some showers, but this risk is slightly higher on Sunday, which will still be sunny and warm at around 27C.

East Midlands

Saturday will be warm, with highs of 30C after a misty start to the morning.

There will be a risk of showers on Sunday, but it could remain as high as 30C.

Scotland

Much of Scotland can expect to remain mainly dry on Saturday, with highs of 25C near the border with England and 23C in Edinburgh.

There is a chance of some showers on Sunday, particularly further north, but southern areas can expect warm sunshine to see out the weekend.

Northern Ireland

It's set to be another warm day in Northern Ireland on Saturday after early morning mist lifts to give way to sunny spells and highs of 24C around Belfast.

Thunderstorms are also possible in the afternoon, however, as temperatures start to cool on Sunday, which is forecast to be largely cloudy with highs of around 21C.

Wales

The outlook is even brighter around Wales, with Cardiff likely to see clear skies throughout Saturday and highs of 28C.

Low cloud could affect some coastal areas and there is a small chance there could be showers in the afternoon.

In keeping with the rest of the UK, it will be cooler in Wales on Sunday, with highs of 24C and cloudy skies threatening light rain.

Warning still in place

The prolonged period of heat poses a risk to older people and anyone with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases.

The UK Health Security Agency therefore has issued an amber warning until 9pm on Sunday in nearly every area of England.

A yellow heat alert is in place until the same time in the northeast of England.

'No chance' of all-time record

While a record for 2023 is likely, Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge says it won't get high enough to break the all-time September temperature record.

September's highest daily temperature reading was 35.6C recorded on 2 September 1906 in South Yorkshire, according to the Met Office.

Read more:
This heatwave is very unusual - here's why
What is an omega block - and how is it causing our extreme weather?

"There is potential that we might get a little bit warmer over the weekend, not by a massive amount, but enough to make it the warmest day of the year so far again," he said.

"It is always going to be around 32C, close to 33C at the maximum temperature."

But another record is within reach.

"If we do see 30C all the way through until Sunday, which it looks fairly sure it will be, that will be six days in a row that we have reached 30C," he added.

"Previously in September we've only reached 30C three days in a row.

"So although it's not the the hottest spell of weather we've had in September, in terms of prolonged hot weather it is twice as long as we have previously had."