The UK is set for a treat next week as weather maps have revealed a mini-heatwave will soon hit the country. Although temperatures are high "relative to the expected conditions of the area at that time of year." The Met Office defines an official UK heatwave as "when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold." The threshold varies by UK county but starts at 25C. The maps generated by WXCharts using Metdesk show the UK highlighted green, with areas shaded in yellow indicating the warmer temperatures. The sunshine will hit the southern part of the nation more than others, with temperatures reaching a pleasant 20C on April 6.
Cities including London and Southampton will be on the receiving end of more sunshine. The Winchester area is set to get 20C temperatures, while areas north and south of London will enjoy up to 19C. The temperatures in the Midlands and the north, including Birmingham and Manchester, will also be warm with a lovely climate ranging between 18C and 17C. Further up north towards the Scottish Highlands, temperatures will be slightly lower, but residents won't be missing out, and the maps show the general trend for the warm weather covering the whole nation.
The Met Office also predicts that the weather will be taking a positive turn for April as its long-range weather forecast for April 2 to April 11 reveals that "settled weather" will cover most of the UK.
It continues: "Most places are expected to be dry with clear or sunny spells and light winds. Inland areas will see a general day-on-day warming next week. It will probably remain slightly cooler near coastal areas, with an additional risk of mist or sea fog affecting parts of the east coast."
"There is a chance for more unsettled and perhaps cooler weather for a time in the north and northeast. However, the main signal is for dry and fine weather across the country during this period. Temperatures will likely be around or above normal and feeling warm during the day, and some cold nights are still possible when skies are clear."
The map generated by WXCharts shows the higher temperatures staying around right until 6pm on the day, so whilst the UK might still be on its way to completely escaping the cold, it looks as though the sun-filled days are replacing the rainy ones.
However, according to the Met Office's 5-day weather forecast, Brits will have to wait until the end of the week to wave goodbye to rain.
This evening and tonight:
Showers will ease for many tonight, with just a few across northern Scotland, leaving clearing skies elsewhere. Winds also easing, allowing it to turn chilly inland with a slight frost in places.
Saturday:
A band of rain moves east across Scotland and Northern Ireland throughout the day. A largely fine and sunny start elsewhere, but cloud and patchy rain reaching the west later.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Largely fine for many on Sunday with warm sunshine. Dry, bright and warm for most next week, with just a little rain in northern Scotland on Monday.
