UK weather: Two-day heat surge forecast as maps turn red across much of the UK
Brits are set to boil in booming temperatures this weekend as the mercury explodes past 20C almost everywhere across the country.
Exciting weather maps show temperatures of more than 20C can be looked forward to in many areas by the end of the working week. One weather map from WXCharts for Saturday shows people in England, Scotland and Wales can expect at least 20C, making it a weekend sizzler to look forward to. Only Northern Ireland will miss out on the 20C party, but people there can at least enjoy conditions of 19C and sunny weather as the weekend goes on.
The Met Office 's forecast for the weekend currently reads: 'Feeling warm in the sunny spells, but chilly at times around southern coasts with brisk winds. Chilly nights. 'Dry across the majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells for many areas as high pressure dominates the weather pattern across the UK.
'However, at the start of this period, thicker cloud is likely in the far north for a time with some patchy rain and drizzle in north and northwest Scotland. Similarly, over the first few days of this period, cloud will probably thicken in parts of the southwest with a few showers in places, with a small chance some of these could be heavy or thundery.
'Winds will mostly be light with daytime temperatures likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year, although there is a chance of some cold nights.'
Thanks to high pressure lingering over Europe the UK has enjoyed a relatively dry spring so far, albeit with relatively low temperatures. Ian Lisk, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, explained: 'It's all to do with our old friend, the jet stream. Weather typically moves across the UK from west to east, but the north-south amplification of the jet stream has enabled areas of high pressure to hang around in the vicinity of the UK.
'This means our share of the more typical unsettled weather has been deflected away from us. It is a bit unusual for it to have been this persistent, and with the consequences of it bringing the very, very dry spring we've had.'
It comes after the UK enjoyed an average of 228.9 hours of sunshine during April, with particularly bright conditions in the Midlands, East Anglia, and parts of Scotland. This follows a similarly sunny March, making it the sunniest March–April period on record for England.
Today, people can expect many places to be fine and dry with sunny intervals. The west of the country will be warm, with temperatures a little cooler in the southeast with a strong breeze and a few showers.
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