The United Kingdom is bracing for a significant warm spell as advanced weather forecasting maps indicate that temperatures could soar to 24 degrees Celsius in early May. A three-day heat blast is expected to sweep across the country, bringing unseasonably warm conditions to many regions.
Weekend Warmth
The Met Office has predicted that temperatures will reach 22C in southern areas and 21C in northern regions this weekend. However, more detailed forecasts from the GFS weather model suggest that even hotter weather is on the horizon.
Detailed Forecast for May 5-7
According to the GFS model, on May 5, temperatures will hit 21C in London, Yorkshire, East Anglia, the East Midlands, and the north-west around midday. North Wales and the West Midlands can expect 20C, while Northern Ireland and Scotland will see slightly cooler conditions.
On May 6, the maps indicate that temperatures will peak at 23C in Yorkshire. Widespread areas across England will experience highs of 21C to 22C, with parts of Scotland and North Wales also reaching 21C.
May 7 is anticipated to be the warmest day, with the GFS model showing highs of 24C in and around London, central England, and Yorkshire at 6pm. Central Scotland could again see 20C.
Counties Affected
Over the three-day period, the GFS model suggests that as many as 58 counties across the UK will see temperatures of 20C or above. Notably, none of these counties are in Northern Ireland.
List of Counties Expecting 20C or Higher
England
- Northumberland
- Cumberland
- Durham
- Yorkshire
- Lancashire
- Cheshire
- Derbyshire
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Nottinghamshire
- Staffordshire
- Shropshire
- Herefordshire
- Worcestershire
- Warwickshire
- Northamptonshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Bedfordshire
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
- Essex
- Hertfordshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Middlesex
- Surrey
- Kent
- Sussex
- Berkshire
Scotland
- Caithness
- Sutherland
- Ross-shire and Cromartyshire
- Inverness-shire
- Nairnshire
- Morayshire
- Banffshire
- Aberdeenshire
- Angus
- Fife
- Kinross-shire
- Clackmannanshire
- Stirlingshire
- West Lothian
- Midlothian
- East Lothian
- Dunbarton
- Lanarkshire
- Peeblesshire
- Selkirkshire
- Berwickshire
- Roxburghshire
Wales
- Anglesey
- Caernarfonshire
- Denbighshire
- Flintshire
- Merioneth
- Montgomeryshire
- Monmouthshire
Met Office Outlook
The Met Office forecast for April 29 to May 8 states: "High pressure is likely to lie close to the UK at the start of this period. Most places will be dry with sunny spells and light winds, although there could be some overnight mist and fog. Into the first week of May, conditions will probably become more changeable with low pressure systems becoming more likely. This means an increasing chance of showers or longer spells of rain, with a risk of strong winds at times. Temperatures are likely to be close to or slightly above normal."
Temperature anomaly maps indicate that the mercury will rise above the seasonal average at the start of next month, confirming the likelihood of a brief but intense warm spell.
