Britons are bracing themselves for the first mini-heatwave of the year, as temperatures could rise to as high as 25C next week in some parts of the country. The warm weather will continue into the first few days of June, before the risk of showers once again looms. After a relatively cool beginning to spring, the mercury is set to rise into the twenties, with most areas of the UK expected to see clear blue skies.
New weather maps show the mercury reaching as high as 25C in western parts of Scotland and England, as well as in the London area by June 1 – the official start to the meteorological summer.
Most other areas of the British Isles will bask in pleasant and warm temperatures around the 20C mark.
The east coast will be slightly cooler due to an onshore breeze off the North Sea, with temperatures hovering around the 17-18 degrees mark.
It will also be cooler in very northern parts of Scotland, where the mercury will struggle to get much above 14 degrees, according to the weather charts.
Jim Dale from British Weather Services told Express.co.uk that this coming week will see the warmest temperatures of the year so far.
He said: “From Tuesday onwards, there might be a 24 or a 25 down in the south, in the southwest and into south Wales – that type of area, that’s entirely possible.
“I would encompass it all by saying it continues right into June – definitely into the first few days of June.
“It’s very pleasant, very British. If you asked someone what is the perfect spring weather, this is it.
“We’re still in spring until the first of June when it turns to summer, but this is exactly what it says on the can.
“Whenever anybody says you know what’s the perfect spring weather for the UK, well look out of your window because that is exactly what it is.
“And that’s how it’s staying for the vast majority of the country.
“There’s about two or three percent who are not in that at the moment – that’s northern Scotland, the very north of Scotland.
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“For the vast majority, it’s blue skies, even though the breeze will pick up.
“The east coast will be slightly less pleasant than the rest just because of the onshore breeze off the North Sea.
“If you are looking for the best of the temperatures, best of the sunshine – go west.”
The author of the book “Weather or Not?” added it was perfect weather for picnics, walking and stocking up on Vitamin D.
However he had a word of caution for hay fever sufferers and sunbathers.
Mr Dale warned: “It’s perfect for getting sunburnt.
“There’s a caveat here because it’s relatively clear air and the sun is moving towards its peak.
“UV levels are high the grass pollen levels are going to start to kick in as well.”
This year’s astronomical summer will start on June 21 and end on September 23.
The astronomical calendar determines the seasons due to the 23.5 degrees of tilt of the Earth’s rotational axis in relation to its orbit around the Sun.
Both Equinoxes and Solstices are related to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun.
