September heat dome to send temperatures soaring to 44C in Europe

September heat dome to send temperatures soaring to 44C in Europe Sweltering temperatures of 44C are set to hit parts of Europe over the next few days thanks to the 'heat dome', though conditions will be significantly cooler in the UK A heat dome is set to descend on Europe over the coming days. Temperatures are set to hit to reach sweltering highs of 44C in some parts of southern Europe and the Mediterranean over the next 48 hours, according to forecasters. An area of high pressure is trapping warm air from North Africa, causing temperatures to spike in a 'heat dome' phenomenon. Extraordinarily warm conditions are expected in Spain, France and Italy, where a warning for extreme heat is currently in place. But for the rest of Europe, including the British Isles, any spells of warm weather are likely to be more moderate, and short lived. Highs of 28C and clear skies are forecast in southeast England on Sunday, before dropping back to the low 20s by Tuesday morning. Rainier, more changeable weather is meanwhile expected across the north of England, Scotland, Wakes and Northern Ireland. Giving his forecast for Sunday, Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: "A wet and cloudy start across the north and the west of the UK with rain pushing eastwards through the morning turning brighter across England and Wales with one or two light showers, but increasing amounts of sunshine as the afternoon progresses. "However, as the low pressure system edges nearer, parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland generally remain much cloudier with shower outbreaks of rain pushing eastwards, which could be heavy at times, accompanied by quite a gusty wind. "But with the air coming in from the south, we are going to draw in some quite warm air for the time of year. Temperatures 25 to 28 celsius in the best of the sunshine, across central and southern parts of England. "Under the cloud, further north, generally the high teens to low 20s. So, a warmer feeling day for everyone compared to what we've seen today." Unsettled conditions will dominate towards the end of the week, he said, with temperatures "turning nearer to average for the time of year" for most of the country.