Met Office verdict on 21C heat surge as experts say '1C rise each week' expected

High pressure fronts could bring a 21C surge of warm air for the UK in a matter of days with Met Office experts saying the temperature will rise at least ‘1C a week’ from now into summer.

The bouyant forecast for sun lovers will have many Britons glad the relatively wet and cold April conditions so far this year look set to draw to a close soon.

According to maps from WXCharts tomorrow (Sunday) and Monday will see warmer conditions as a high pressure zone marked in orange brings brighter weather.

The looking ahead to the end of the month and start of May another surge of high pressure is expected to rise up from Africa and over Spain before bringing potentially very high temperatures to Britain.

The Iberian plume could see much of the UK basking in 21C heat and sunshine.

British weather is usually dominated by low pressure systems, bringing wet, windy and mild weather from the Atlantic, but in the spring and summer months high pressure zones can often bring sunny and calm weather.

A statement from the Met Office covering May 5 to May 19, said: “In this period, the chances of unsettled weather are slightly less than usual in the north and about the same as usual further south.

“Therefore, some spells of wetter weather are likely for all, but perhaps especially southern areas at first with the driest conditions probably further north.

“Temperatures will probably near or a little below average at first, but likely to recover to around or a little above average as the period progresses. Also worth noting that average temperatures themselves rise by around 1C per week at this time of year.”

From Thursday next week the weather agency said: “High pressure will likely be retreating to the northwest of the UK at the start of this period, with conditions turning generally more unsettled than the previous few days as low pressure becomes more dominant”.

It added: “Into early May, something of a north-south split looks possible, with relatively drier conditions further to the north and the greatest chance of rain further to the south.”

This Evening and Tonight:

Clear spells for many but skies will be cloudier across Scotland and parts of northern England. A few showers will continue in the southeast, but largely dry elsewhere. Feeling chilly.

Sunday:

Dry for many with sunny spells, but a few showers in the southeast. Cloudy across Scotland with outbreaks of light rain in the north. Brisk winds along the east coast.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:

High pressure remains in charge but often cloudy. Light rain for eastern parts of the UK to start the working week with temperatures close to the April average.