The Met Office has announced that temperatures could soar to 24°C this week, bringing balmy conditions across many parts of the country. According to the forecast released this afternoon, southern areas may reach 23°C on Thursday and 24°C on Friday, while northern regions could see 20°C on Thursday and 23°C on Friday.
Dry and Sunny Start, Showers Possible Later
The national weather service expects largely dry conditions on Wednesday and Thursday with warm sunny spells, though it will be breezy in the south. However, they caution that there is an increasing chance of showers moving in from the west on Friday.
Temperature anomaly maps indicate the UK will be covered in deep red on Friday, signifying temperatures well above the seasonal average. The GFS weather model predicts highs of 22°C on Friday, with the warmest temperatures in the south-east of England, particularly in and around London.
Counties Set for 20°C or Above on Friday
As many as 25 counties could experience temperatures of 20°C or higher. These include:
- Northumberland
- Durham
- Lancashire
- Cheshire
- Yorkshire
- Leicestershire
- Derbyshire
- Nottinghamshire
- Lincolnshire
- Staffordshire
- Shropshire
- Worcestershire
- Warwickshire
- Northamptonshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Norfolk
- Essex
- Middlesex
- Kent
- Surrey
- Bedfordshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Berkshire
- Oxfordshire
- Wiltshire
The BBC's forecasters also predict sunshine this week, but with some showers expected on Friday. Their detailed outlook states: tonight, the south-east will start with showery rain but should turn drier later, while central and eastern areas remain cloudy with light rain. Dry with clear spells elsewhere.
Tomorrow will begin generally cloudy with a few light showers in the east and south, turning dry with brightening skies in the afternoon. A sunnier day is expected in the northwest, with breezy conditions in the south.
Wednesday will be largely dry with sunny spells, apart from the odd shower in the far south-west of England, and windy in the south. Thursday remains dry and sunny for most, breezy across much of the UK, with a few showers possible in the far south-west. Friday looks more unsettled with periods of sunshine, cloud, and some showers.
