The UK could be about to see warmer weather following a recent gloomy spell as new Met Office weather maps predict highs of 17C next week.
After more than a week of unsettled weather, the national forecaster has predicted that things will begin to warm up from this afternoon onwards with a “dry weekend” set to provide Brits with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
However weather is unlikely to hit the summery heights of 21C seen last weekend with temperatures remaining between 16C and 17C.
The south and west of England are to see the warmest temperatures according to forecasters.
Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon, told the Mirror: “High pressure will return for the weekend, so it will feel very different on the weekend to what many are experiencing now.
“The best weather on the weekend will be in the south and the west as these areas will hold on to the brighter and sunnier conditions for the longest. We are looking at highs of 16C or 17C.”
In terms of when Britain can expect to bask in a proper heatwave – officially defined as at least three consecutive days with maximum temperatures above the 25C to 28C summer average – it will have to wait a little longer with no sign sweltering temperatures are on the way.
Mr Claydon added: “It could be May into June that we meet the heatwave threshold as there’s nothing to indicate it sooner. There is some pleasant weather forecast this weekend for many, which will be a boost after unsettled weather recently.”
But despite warmer weather on the way, the Met Office forecast for the weekend still warned that Britain could be hit by some light showers between Sunday and Tuesday in northern areas.
People with hayfever allergies are also being advised to prepare for some irritation from pollen this weekend, with spring now well under way.
The official pollen forecast, which combines Met Office weather data with expertise from organisations such as the National Pollen and Aerobiological Unit, currently stands at the ‘moderate’ warning level in southern and central parts of England, as well as Northern Ireland. It is at ‘low’ in Wales, Scotland and northern England.
