The UK is set for a mini-heatwave in a matter of days as sunshine and warmer temperatures finally brings the first of the summer weather.
Weather maps show temperatures could peak on May 3 at highs of 14C in north Scotland – an unusually high figure where temperatures are peaking at just 10C this week.
In other parts of Britain, temperatures could hover between 18C and 22C between May 3 and May 6.
The warmer temperatures are coming as a result of high pressure systems that usually bring drier weather. Maps from WXCharts show Scotland and northern England basking in red as they get the brunt of the system.
Weather expert Jim Dale, told Express.co.uk that the UK was “overdue” a period of sunny weather earlier this week.
Mr Dale said: “It may not last, but will be welcome if it evolves as currently seen. Temperatures will range from 18-22C, with room yet for higher. The rains and cooler temperatures may have been a blessing in disguise as we push on into summer.”
A statement from the Met Office also offered some optimism, with the weather agency saying “it is worth noting that average temperatures themselves rise by around 1C per week at this time of year”.
It comes as other parts of Europe are set to experience warmer temperatures, with France peaking at around 21C on May 3.
Weather across the region has been unsettled in recent weeks, with temperatures fluctuating.
Monday 29 Apr – Wednesday 8 May
The weekend’s rain probably clearing east and northeast to leave a drier day on Monday, although the chance of showers and even thunderstorms remains. Cloudier, wetter weather is likely to quickly arrive into the west, and slide east across southern areas early next week, such that the majority of the week will be characterised by wetter weather in southern UK, drier weather in northern, especially northwestern UK, and a chance of rain or even thundery showers for a time in the east. Temperatures likely to trend upwards, with the chance of a warm to very warm spell in some southern and eastern parts, before conditions probably turn drier, cooler and more settled from the west towards the end of the period.
Thursday 9 May – Thursday 23 May
In this period, the chances of unsettled weather are slightly less than usual in the north and about the same as usual further south. Therefore, some spells of wetter weather are likely for all, but perhaps especially southern areas with the driest conditions probably further north. Temperatures probably near average though with some cooler interludes possible. Also worth noting that average temperatures themselves rise by around 1C per week at this time of year.
