The UK is set to be hotter than Athens on Friday as temperatures are forecast to hit 26C in London, according to the Met Office. The country is expected to bask in sunshine with temperatures in the low to mid 20s ahead of the bank holiday weekend.
Regional temperature forecasts
The Met Office predicts highs of 23C in Manchester, 26C in London, and 20C in Cardiff by the end of the week. The warm weather is set to continue into the late May bank holiday, with highs of 23C on Saturday in the capital and 24C on Sunday and Monday.
Meteorologist's insights
Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said in an online forecast: "From Thursday onwards, temperatures could rise above average, approaching 20C for some across southern areas." She added: "We could be closer to the mid-20s, possibly, for some areas, in the South East, by the bank holiday weekend."
A welcome change after chilly winds
The warm weather comes as a welcome change from the chilly winds and showers that swept across northern parts of the UK this weekend. However, some showers are expected for the first half of the week before temperatures start to rise.
Craig Snell, forecaster at the Met Office, said: "The first half of this week is still going to be changeable, if not unsettled, across parts of the UK. Temperatures at the start of the week are still a little subdued for the time of the year, as we head towards the weekend we are expecting to see a change."
Week weather breakdown
Monday will be a day of sunshine and showers, some could be heavy with the occasional rumble of thunder, before a band of rain moves across most of the UK later in the day, Mr Snell said. Blustery conditions are expected into Tuesday, with wind and rain, sometimes heavy, along with thunder.
On Wednesday, there will be a mixture of sunshine and showers, but temperatures in the south of England will climb towards 20C. On Thursday and Friday, it will be increasingly drier and brighter, especially for England and Wales, and maximum temperatures of 26C could be seen on Friday in the south east, Mr Snell added.
Bank holiday weekend outlook
"The best of the sunshine across the bank holiday weekend will probably be across England and Wales," he said.
UK five day weather forecast
This Evening and Tonight: Showers continuing across parts of England and Wales, especially towards the west where they will become heavier and possibly thundery. Turning drier for much of Northern Ireland and Scotland, with clearer skies leading to some patchy fog.
Monday: Sunshine and showers for many tomorrow, with a band of more persistent rain moving into Northern Ireland, Wales and southwest England by evening. Temperatures near or a little below average.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday: Unsettled at first with showers or longer spells of rain. Turning drier from Thursday for many and starting to become warmer.
