The UK is set to bask under weather of 20 degrees Celsius in a warm start to the month of May. After an April of mixed weather, temperatures are set to rise for large parts of the country, with temperatures set to be highest in Norfolk.
The high temperatures arrive on May 2, just in time for the start of the bank holiday weekend, although it is unclear if the weather will persist for the duration. A Met Office long-range forecast for the time period said: “Into the final days of April and start of May, high pressure is likely to be the dominant weather pattern. Fine and dry weather is expected for the majority of the UK with periods of sunshine.
“Winds are likely to be light with temperatures close to or slightly above normal.”
The weather looks set to be warmest in the South East, with London and the home counties anticipated to see temperatures in the high teens.
Norfolk and Suffolk promise to be the warmest with highs of 20 degrees Celsius, although it is expected to be slightly cooler along the south coast.
Northern parts of the country will see temperatures in the double digits, with 18 degrees expected in Manchester.
However, temperatures will be slightly cooler in Newcastle and into Scotland, with most areas peaking at 15 degrees.
Before the May sunshine, the country will be forced to endure wet and rainy conditions in many parts.
The Met Office warns that the coming week is likely to bring “a mixture of showers, longer spells of rain, and some drier interludes.”
The agency has issued a weather warning for Wales and parts of west England which will last from midday on Tuesday until noon on Wednesday.
Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert explained: “After a long spell of high pressure bringing dry weather and sunshine, gloomier and unsettled conditions are on the horizon. Low pressure has become established to the west of the UK bringing cloud, rain showers, and lower temperatures for many.
“More persistent and heavy rain is expected on Tuesday into early Wednesday. A low-pressure system near Portugal is of particular interest as it moves towards the UK, bringing with it potentially heavy rain and thunderstorms. We have issued a yellow warning for rain from midday on Tuesday until Wednesday afternoon. The warning covers southwest England, Wales, and the northwest of England.
“High rainfall totals are possible, but given the recent dry conditions, significant impacts are not anticipated. The situation remains under close watch, with further wet conditions anticipated on Thursday and another weather front moving in on Friday.”