New maps show hotter weather arriving later this month (Image: Getty)
Sweltering sunshine could be roasting much of the nation later this month with parts of the UK set to bask in 28C. According to WXCharts, the highest readings – between 26C and 28C – could be felt across Oxfordshire, Lincolnshire, Essex, Kent, Suffolk, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and East and West Sussex.
The warmer weather is forecast to arrive on Saturday May 23 and could mean millions of Brits get a chance to fire up the BBQ or head to the park of beach over the weekend. May has started with cooler than average temperatures this year driven by colder air coming from the north.
But the hotter conditions look like they could fall perfectly on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, with the mercury set to hold in the mid-20s for much of the south of England into Monday May 25.
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New maps show sweltering conditions arriving in the UK on May 23 (Image: WXCharts)
A Met Office forecast for May 23 and the Bank Holiday weekend said there will be “drier interludes” affecting the southeast of the UK.
It said: “Changeable conditions look to dominate at first, with low pressure often close by. This means periods of rain or showers, some of which could be heavy and more focussed across northwestern areas.
“Drier interludes are also expected, most especially across southeastern UK.
Warmer weather is predicted to arrive later this month (Image: WXCharts)
“As this period progresses, high pressure is likely to begin to build from the south bringing more settled weather, although with occasional showers.
“Temperatures near-normal to begin, but tending to rise as the period progresses, perhaps becoming rather warm by the end of the period, especially in the south.
“Winds will be stronger during the first part of the period, generally from a southwesterly direction, before becoming lighter in line with the more settled conditions.”
A heat map showing warmer weather for Britain on May 23 (Image: WXCharts)
Met Office five-day forecast
Dry with sunny spells for many. Further showers are likely to affect windward coasts at first, with a few scattered showers developing inland across England and Wales, although not as heavy as on Thursday. Feeling less cold than recent days.
A few showers will drift southwards, but many areas dry with clear spells. Cloud and rain arriving across the far west towards dawn. A patchy frost possible in the countryside.
A sunny morning for most. Cloud and rain across the far west will slowly move eastwards as the day progresses, reaching the far east by late evening. Still chilly.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Sunshine and showers are likely on Sunday. Wetter and windier conditions for most on Monday, with further heavy and blustery showers following for Tuesday. Slowly turning warmer for many.