A surge of summer sunshine and pleasant warmth is currently moving through the UK, setting the stage for a mini-heatwave over the upcoming weekend, with temperatures expected to reach as high as 21C in certain areas – surpassing those in Greece.
The Met Office has forecasted a warm day for most regions across the country, with 27 locations poised to experience higher temperatures compared to Thursday, and generally less windy conditions spreading from Liverpool in the north to Bude in the south.
According to maps, temperatures are anticipated to rise progressively throughout the day, starting with lows around 10C by midday in the northern regions and peaking at 17C in the southern areas. By late afternoon, temperatures are expected to climb to around 19C, encompassing major UK cities such as London, Glasgow, Manchester, and Birmingham.
In Glasgow, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a warning of a “very high” risk of wildfires as temperatures are set to hit 20C today, potentially reaching 21C over the weekend.
A dry night is predicted for tonight, paving the way for another hot day on Saturday.
Met Office’s deputy chief forecaster, Steven Keates, mentioned that high pressure will dominate the weather pattern through the weekend, resulting in mostly dry conditions with ample sunshine. He noted that temperatures are likely to rise steadily, peaking in the low 20s on Friday and continuing over the weekend, with coastal areas remaining slightly cooler due to onshore breezes.
Additional forecast data from WXCharts, utilizing MetDesk modeling, suggests that a warm phase will move across parts of England and Wales by Saturday, with the highest temperatures concentrated in the South and the Midlands.
London is expected to be among the warmest spots, reaching highs of 21°C, while counties nearby such as Berkshire and Surrey are also anticipated to witness unusually warm weather for April. Regions extending from Leeds southwards, including the Midlands, Wales, the South East, and South West, should experience temperatures ranging between 17°C and 21°C, with many areas hovering around 18°C to 19°C.
In contrast, temperatures will be cooler in the northern regions, with Scotland expecting temperatures between 7°C and 9°C in many areas. Parts of the Scottish Highlands and the Lake District may see slightly warmer spells.
Looking ahead, the Met Office suggests dry and sunny conditions as April concludes. In the long-range forecast covering April 28 to May 7, predominantly dry conditions with a mix of cloudier and sunnier days are expected due to the persistence of high pressure. While rain is likely to be minimal, some western and northwestern regions may experience showers sporadically. Temperatures are forecasted to remain above normal during this period.