After a week where some saw tornadoes and hailstorms the days ahead looks set to bring some much wanted spring sunshine as a huge plume of higher temperatures covers the country.
From Sunday into Monday the mercury will be rising into the late teens for much of Britain as warmer temperatures finally threaten to take control.
Maps from WXCharts turn orange from Sunday April 21 into Monday April 22, bringing brighter conditions for many in contrast to an area of colder area lingering over central Europe.
And looking further ahead Britain could be almost breaking the 20C barrier as London and the South East benefit from a hotter front of weather coming from France around April 26.
A statement from the Met Office said the immediate weekend will be “dry for most” with “sunny periods” on Saturday. It added winds will be “easing and feeling a bit warmer, though still chilly overnight”.
Beyond the weekend and into next week the weather agency explained high pressure will start to dominate and it could feel ” very warm” at times.
A spokesperson said: “The wind will probably therefore predominantly come from a northerly or easterly direction, so temperatures at least in the east are likely to remain around or a little below average, with any warmer conditions generally further west and with the sun quite strong, it could feel very warm at times.
“There should be a reasonable amount of dry weather around, especially in the north and west, but some rain or showers are likely at times, most-likely in the south and east, but amounts are expected to be modest.”
Stepping into May the Met office predicted “temperatures will gradually rise” depending on “the exact positioning of the high-pressure area, over the UK or over Scandinavia”.
Last week saw the highest UK temperature recorded so far this year after a large mass of warm air rose up from Africa, with Chelmsford in Essex recording 21.8C.
Speaking to Express.co.uk about when we could see consistently higher temperatures, expert Jim Dale said: “We haven’t had heatwave weather as such so what we’re getting is par for the course.
“What we need in order for us to take a heatwave in is a southernly flow, out of Spain through France and into the UK. I would expect it will materialise as we go through the early part of May.”
This evening and tonight:
Cloud and rain moving southeastwards overnight, clearing all but the far south by dawn. Clearer skies following with some coastal towards the north. Fresh northerly winds and feeling chilly with a patchy frost possible in sheltered spots, mainly in Scotland.
Friday:
Early rain clearing the south. Brisk winds easing through the day. Mostly dry with bright or sunny spells and a few showers, these easing through the afternoon. Feeling rather cool.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
A dry weekend for most with sunny periods on Saturday, then generally cloudier on Sunday. Isolated showers on Monday. Winds easing and feeling a bit warmer, though still chilly overnight.
