UK weather: Britain set to bask in 23C heat this weekend
Forecasters have suggested that warmer spring weather is on the way and temperatures are expected to soar above 20C this weekend, making parts of the country hotter than Ibiza, Athens or southern France.
Brilliant dry weather began in earnest on Tuesday, with easterly winds keeping temperatures low, although winds are expected to drop some by the end of the week, meaning the mercury could rise further in many areas.
Met Office meteorologist Aiden McGivern said: “There’s high pressure across the UK keeping things dry and sunny for most. But with this easterly component of the wind we’ve seen low cloud moving inland and low cloud now being pushed back towards the coast. So inland, sunny skies for the vast majority.”
He said the weather “won’t be completely calm” on Friday. “There will be strong winds, especially from the south and southwest. Wind gusts into the mid-40s just west of Dartmoor may cause cooler weather.”
But elsewhere temperatures will slowly rise, reaching the high teens and low twenties; some forecasts suggest highs could be recorded around 23C.
Mr McGivern warned that UV levels were also expected to be high. “The sun is strong, so keep that in mind if you’re going to be outside for a long time,” he said.
“High pressure continues to prevail. Very dry and bright weather will come.”
However, while daytime temperatures will rise, nighttime temperatures will still remain difficult. Overnight temperatures on Friday could drop to freezing in some parts of the north of England and into the low single figures across Scotland and the rest of Britain.
The Met Office said this means “Saturday will start with some locally cold mornings, but sunshine will again allow temperatures to rise.”
“Northern Scotland may experience a fresher feel as a weak low pressure system moves across Scandinavia, briefly bringing with it northerly winds,” he added.
This will most likely affect the far north, while most areas further south will be affected by warmer conditions inland.
“On Sunday, winds are generally lighter once again and temperatures are rising again for many, with highs in the low 20s possible and isolated spots reaching 22 or 23C.”
This means temperatures will be above expected in Nice in the south of France, where the highest temperature is expected to be 18C on Sunday, and in Ibiza, where temperatures will reach 20C on Saturday.
The Met Office also said confidence that the good weather would continue was “high”, saying its models showed “a strong and consistent signal that high pressure will remain the dominant feature into next week”.
