The Met Office has predicted that temperatures could reach 23C this weekend, with weather maps showing 39 counties across England and Wales set for above-average temperatures. The forecast, issued on Thursday afternoon, indicates daytime highs of 23C in southern areas on Saturday, while northern regions could see 20C.
Friday is expected to bring 20C in the south and 17C in the north, but temperatures are forecast to drop slightly on Sunday, with 19C in the south and 15C in the north. Temperature anomaly maps highlight a significant north-south divide, with orange areas indicating above-average temperatures and blue areas below.
The Met Office describes the weekend weather as changeable, with a mix of sunny spells and showers. Showers may become increasingly heavy, with a risk of thunder, and it will be chilly in the north but warm in the south. The BBC's forecasters predict scattered showers on Friday, turning locally thundery in the south, while Saturday may see continued showers in the south but dry conditions in the north.
For Thursday, the Met Office expects breezy conditions in the northwest with showery rain, while the south and east will be drier with sunny spells and a few showers. Overall, the weekend will bring above-average temperatures to many parts of England and Wales, though Scotland and Northern Ireland are likely to be cooler.
