IT could be the hottest summer in a decade as a 32C blast is set to hit the country within weeks, say forecasters.
La Nina, a climate pattern, will play a large part in the spike in warm weather.
Jim Dale, meteorologist for British Weather Services, said: “There will definitely be some spikes of heat as we go into summer when I expect to see temperatures in the high 20Cs or even the low 30Cs.
“This is largely because of a balancing effect which, after the colder period of weather over the past couple of months, dominated by a northerly airflow, should revert and come from a more southerly direction.
“This will bring more in the way of hotter weather as we go through the end of spring and into summer.
“This summer could be up there with the warmer ones from the past ten years, it is more likely to turn out one of the warmer ones that to be cooler.”
Read all the latest weather news and updates in our live blog below…
- Imogen Braddick
LONG-RANGE FORECAST FROM MONDAY
"Cloudy and breezy across Northern Ireland and Scotland with outbreaks of rain through Monday, later spreading briefly to Wales, the South West and Northern England," the Met Office said.
"Further southeast it will likely remain drier and brighter with a cold night. Outbreaks of rain in the north and west will then likely ease as high pressure becomes more widely established again.
"This will bring plenty of dry and bright weather with sunny spells and daytime temperatures around average, but cold by night with the risk of overnight frosts and the chance of fog patches.
"There is the potential for rain and strong winds to occur at times towards the northwest of the UK with the possibility of these unsettled conditions briefly spreading southeast."
Credit: Alamy - Imogen Braddick
FRIDAY'S FORECAST
"Dry with sunny spells and light winds. Windy in the far northwest with a few spots of rain possible," the Met Office said.
- Imogen Braddick
MAKING THE MOST OF THE WEATHER
Thirsty Brits have made 14 million pub bookings in a stampede to secure beer garden tables.
A million of the outdoor reservations are for July and many venues in England are booked up until May.
Those who fail to make reservations may have to wait weeks before they can enjoy a beer in the sunshine.
- Imogen Braddick
SUNRISE
People walk along the beach at North Berwick, East Lothian at sunrise this morning.
Credit: PA - Imogen Braddick
CRISP MORNING
People enjoying a dog walk in the crisp morning sunshine in Dunsden, Oxfordshire.
Credit: Rex - Imogen Braddick
HEATING UP
It doesn't look like the sun is going anywhere as Brits are set to enjoy five solid days of 20C sunshine as spring starts to heat up later this month.
The even warmer weather will kick in from Saturday, April 24 as people enjoy the relaxed lockdown rules outside, according to BBC forecasters.
Ladbrokes have slashed the odds on this month going down as the hottest April on record.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "Despite snow falling earlier this month, there’s now an outside chance of this going down as the hottest April ever with temperatures back on the up."
Credit: AP - Imogen Braddick
RAISE A GLASS
The sunny conditions come in time for Prince Philip's funeral, which takes place on Saturday afternoon.
People around the country can toast the Duke of Edinburgh, who died aged 99 on Friday after more than 70 years by the Queen's side, in glorious sunshine.
Football fans can also make the most of the balmy weather as the Premier League moved Wolves' clash with Sheffield United as a mark of respect to the late duke.
The fixture was due to take place on Saturday at 3pm – the same time as his funeral at Windsor Castle – but will instead kick off at 8.15pm.
Credit: Alamy - Imogen Braddick
THE WEEKEND
While the weather is set to remain on the chilly side until Friday, things are looking up for the weekend.
Temperatures are forecast to hit the mid-teens in southeastern England on Saturday, with the mercury hovering around 11 to 15C.
Elsewhere it will be slightly cooler but still "fine, dry and bright" – just in time for thirsty Brits to make a weekend return to outdoor venues up and down the country.
And Sunday will "feel pleasant in the sunshine", according to the Met Office.
- Britta Zeltmann
THURSDAY MORNING
It was a frosty start for some rural spots today, with things largely dry elsewhere.
Expect to see sunny spells across the country today.
- Britta Zeltmann
TODAY’S FORECAST
It’s set to be a dry and sunny day for most, feeling warm with light winds.
Things will be cooler and cloudier across the south east and some central parts of England with a few showers breaking out.
Map shows outlook across UK for 10am todayCredit: Met Office - Hana Carter
MET OFFICE'S OUTLOOK FOR THE WEEKEND
Fine and settled for many with sunny spells, becoming a little warmer by day though still cold overnight. Turning cloudier and breezier in the north and west with some rain.
- Hana Carter
APRIL 5/1 TO BE HOTTEST ON RECORD WITH TEMPERATURES ON THE UP
Ladbrokes have slashed the odds on this month going down as the hottest April on record.
As temperatures prepare to take a turn for the better, the bookies have cut odds from 12/1 to just 5/1 on this going down as a record-breaking hot April.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “Despite snow falling earlier this month, there’s now an outside chance of this going down as the hottest April ever with temperatures back on the up.”
- Hana Carter
TOMORROW'S FORECAST
According to the Met Office there will be spells of sunshine for most with cloud increasing for many by the afternoon.
Scattered showers will affect eastern and central England.
Chilly in the breezier east, warmest in the north.
- Hana Carter
SUNSET IN LONDON EARLIER TODAY
Dramatic evening sunset over the The London Eye ferris wheel - Hana Carter
TONIGHT'S FORECAST
Dry again, once any evening showers in the southwest fade.
Clear periods for most leading to another chilly night, particularly in the east with a fairly widespread, locally sharp frost.
The odd fog patch possible further west, mainly Northern Ireland.
- Hana Carter
TEMPERATURES SOAR AT THE END OF APRIL
- Hana Carter
PICTURED: SAIL BOATS AGAINST THE SUNSET
Stokes Bay in Gosport, Hampshire as the Stokes Bay Sailing club have an evening raceCredit: Paul Jacobs/pictureexclusive.com - Hana Carter
THURSDAY FORECAST
- Hana Carter
THURSDAY MORNING FORECAST
Any early patches of mist and fog will soon lift and clear.
It will then be dry with spells of sunshine during the morning however areas of cloud will tend to build during the day.
There is a chance of a few showers developing, these are expected across East Anglia and spreading inland later
- Hana Carter
APRIL 19 – 25 : CHANGEABLE WEATHER AHEAD, SAYS BBC
“Unfortunately, as we head into late April the forecast gets a little trickier,” reports BBC Weather.
Looking ahead, from Monday April 19 until Sunday April 25, the broadcaster says “generally we expect a changeable week with the wettest weather in the northern half of the country and some dry, mild spells for southern areas.”
There are “good signals for high pressure to remain nearby or to the north.
“We expect that in late April this high in Scandinavia will linger and begin to build north of Europe slowly.
“Meanwhile, the storm track will be in the North Atlantic and occasionally reach western and northern areas with weak weather fronts.”
- Hana Carter
CHILLY NIGHT FOR MANY
- Hana Carter
APRIL 5/1 TO BE HOTTEST ON RECORD WITH TEMPERATURES ON THE UP
Ladbrokes have slashed the odds on this month going down as the hottest April on record.
As temperatures prepare to take a turn for the better, the bookies have cut odds from 12/1 to just 5/1 on this going down as a record-breaking hot April.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “Despite snow falling earlier this month, there’s now an outside chance of this going down as the hottest April ever with temperatures back on the up.”
- Hana Carter
PICTURED: PEOPLE ENJOY THE SUNSHINE IN LYME REGIS
Sunny scenes at Lyme RegisCredit: Alamy - Hana Carter
BRITAIN TO BASK IN 20C SUNSHINE IN JUST DAYS
Brits are going to be treated next week to a 20C heatwave as spring begins to prepare us for the summer months ahead.
The warmer weather will be met with welcome arms by pub landlords as well as amateur BBQ chefs as coronavirus restrictions ease across England.
This week hospitality was allowed to reopen after being closed for months during lockdown.
Brits were seen at pub beer gardens, outdoor bars and restaurants around the country despite cold temperatures – with some people even braving heavy snow to enjoy a pint.
- Hana Carter
MOSTLY DRY FOR THE NEXT 10 DAYS
Source: Read Full Article