Hot weather conditions are set to hit the UK as new weather maps show temperatures skyrocketing to 24C in the coming days. Maps from WXCharts show that a “mini-heatwave” will cover the country – making Britain hotter than Menorca in Spain.
Temperatures are set to heat up from May 3 to May 5 with areas around Manchester experiencing balmy 24C days. Meanwhile, Menorca is expected to only reach 19C on May 3.
Areas such as Wick, Inverness, Fort William, Aberdeen and Edinburgh in Scotland will also bask in glorious sunshine as the mercury levels will hover around 18-20C during that period, maps suggest.
A “mini-heatwave” generally occurs if temperatures go above 20C, especially at a time of year when you wouldn’t expect temperatures to be that high, and a “heatwave” is above 25C.
According to the Met Office, a heatwave is an extended period of hot weather relative to the expected conditions of the area at that time of year, which may be accompanied by high humidity.
Phil Morrish, a weather expert told Express.co.uk: “By the bank holiday weekend the winds will be turning into the South West bringing us much warmer air from the Azores as High pressure ridges in from the South West.
“The temperature will reach 19C in the South and 17C in the Midlands and even 15c in the North and in Scotland so a warmer and mainly dry bank holiday is in prospect at the moment so there is something to look forward too.”
The Met Office’s long-range forecast between May 2 and 11 reads: “In the first part of this period, many areas of the UK are expected to see periods of rain or showers.
“On May 4, areas around Manchester and Birmingham will see sizzling 24C while areas such as London, Plymouth, and Southhampton will witness temperatures around 19C, maps suggest.
“Some of these showers will be heavy and thundery, with the greatest chance of thunderstorms in the southeast.
“Along with this will be a fair amount of low cloud in the east at times, with spells of coastal fog, but also temperatures generally above average for the time of year.
“Overall, northwestern parts of the UK are likely to be driest and sunniest. Through the second week, temperatures will return closer to normal, perhaps dipping back below average, but it will also tend to turn gradually drier and more settled, with changeable conditions most likely to hang on longest in the south and southeast.”
However, a weather change is possible later as the UK is likely to witness hours of non-stop snow and torrential rain from May 5 to 7, as per the maps.
Today:
Cloud and outbreaks of rain in the south continues to push northwards through the morning, easing as it does so. Sunnier spells in the north with some showers. More rain then arrives in the south later. Cool for late April.
Tonight:
Rain, heavy at times, in the south slowly edges north. Mostly dry with light winds and clear spells further north where it will turn chilly with a frost possible.
Sunday:
locally heavy rain moving north across many eastern and central parts on Sunday. Drier and brighter in the west with sunny spells and scattered showers. Still rather cool for most.
Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:
Mostly dry through this period although a few showers are possible at times. Often bright with some sunny spells and turning warmer than of late. Breezy at times.
