Forecasters at the Met Office anticipate that the UK might experience its hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures climbing to a peak of 26°C in certain parts of England over
the upcoming weekend.
According to the Met Office, England and Wales are set to bask in warm, sunny, and dry conditions, with any potential showers likely to be brief and isolated.
Saturday could see parts of south-east England reaching highs of 26°C, surpassing this year's current record of 23.4°C in Santon Downham, Suffolk. Across the country, temperatures are expected to soar well above seasonal averages.
London is predicted to experience daily peaks of 23°C to 24°C for the remainder of the week, while slightly cooler temperatures around 20°C are forecasted for parts of western England and Wales.
The outlook for Thursday and Friday is predominantly sunny and dry across most of the UK, although scattered showers are expected in northern regions, with heavier rainfall in parts of northern Scotland, likely to dissipate by Thursday.
Conditions in Scotland and Northern Ireland are also anticipated to improve steadily throughout the week, with Glasgow expected to reach highs of 22°C on Saturday, while other areas could see temperatures in the high teens.
Amy Bokota, senior operational meteorologist at the Met Office, remarked, "It's already been quite warm, but as we progress through the week, temperatures are expected to climb gradually day by day." She noted that the average daytime temperature for the UK in early May typically hovers around 16°C, indicating a significant deviation from the norm.
Looking ahead to next week, the Met Office anticipates unsettled weather as temperatures cool and an area of low pressure from the Atlantic brings scattered showers and possible thunderstorms as early as Sunday afternoon.
"We'll likely see temperatures back into the high teens, perhaps low twenties in a few spots, but certainly a few degrees less," Ms. Bokota added.
With the sunny weather set to elevate UV levels to "moderate to high," the Met Office advises caution, warning of potential sunburn even in cloudy conditions. They recommend the use of sunscreen and appropriate attire, including hats and sunglasses, to mitigate risks.