Heatwave Alert: Britain Set to Soar This Week

A spell of unseasonably warm weather is set to sweep across the UK this week, with forecasters predicting temperatures above 20°C in more than a dozen regions.

According to the Met Office, parts of the East Midlands will experience a mix of cloud and sunshine on Monday morning, with temperatures reaching around 20°C. Conditions are expected to remain mild into the evening, although some light drizzle may develop overnight in the southwest. Tuesday will likely feel cooler, with highs near 14°C, before temperatures begin to rise again later in the week.

Weather data from WXCharts, based on MetDesk analysis, indicates a noticeable warm-up starting Thursday, April 30. By Friday, May 1, temperatures could peak at 24°C, particularly in London and surrounding areas, making it the warmest day of the week.

Southern regions are expected to benefit the most from the sunshine. Counties such as Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire could see highs between 22°C and 23°C, while much of southern England is forecast to enjoy temperatures around 21°C. Parts of the East Midlands, including Lincolnshire, are also set to reach the low 20s with sunny intervals. Further north, areas around the Humber may hit 20°C, while the West Midlands and some northern regions could see highs of around 19°C.

In contrast, Scotland is likely to remain cooler, with temperatures expected to peak at around 16°C, although some areas may briefly approach 20°C before Friday.

Regions forecast to exceed 20°C include London, Surrey, West and East Sussex, Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, and the Humber region.

Looking ahead, the Met Office’s longer-range outlook for late April into early May suggests that high pressure will dominate initially, bringing largely dry conditions, light winds, and sunny spells. However, as the first week of May progresses, the weather is expected to become more unsettled, with an increased likelihood of rain, showers, and occasional strong winds. Temperatures overall are predicted to remain close to or slightly above seasonal averages.