Sweltering 35C 'African plume' heatwave set to hit parts of the UK in just days

19 May 2023 , 03:08

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Temperatures will reach highs of 19C this weekend as warm air moves in from the south (Image: PA)

The unsettled conditions of the past few weeks are set to be pushed out by a band of high pressure this weekend, as warm air sweeps across the country and the sun makes a much-needed appearance.

The Met Office expects Friday to be largely dry across Scotland, with patches of rain scattering across England and north Wales.

Any showers are expected to ease as the day progresses and temperatures will feel warm at around 14C to 16C.

Saturday and Sunday are predicted to be dry and sunny across the country, with temperatures reaching highs of 19C in southeast and northwest England.

BBC meteorologist Darren Bett said "warm spells" will can be expected on Friday as southerly breeze continues to rush in from the channel.

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Beachgoers will be encouraged by the Met Office's long-range forecast, which predicts a 'good deal of fine and dry weather for the majority of areas' (PA)

England and Wales will see the "lion's share of the sunshine" over the weekend, Bett added.

Bett added that there will be "little or no rain" on Sunday and that Brits can expect "decent weather this weekend".

Forecasters are predicting that the UK could be basking in blistering sunshine by the end of May, as an extreme weather front dubbed the 'Africa plume' is likely to sweep across the country.

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Weather maps show that high pressure will soon replace the wet and windy conditions most of the country has endured so far this spring, with temperatures predicted to rocket up to highs of 35C.

The Met Office's long-range forecast, which covers the period from Tuesday May 23 - Thursday Jun 1, states that high pressure "will dominate over most of the UK through the first half of this period, with settled conditions for most of the country" and that the predicted warm weather fronts will "bring a good deal of fine and dry weather for the majority of areas".

Temperatures could reach 35C over the next few months as some forecasters predict the arrival of a hot weather front dubbed the 'Africa plume' (PA)

Met Office Five-Day Forecast

Friday:

Largely dry for Scotland and Northern Ireland, with sunny spells. Patchy rain for northern England and north Wales easing. Sunny spells elsewhere, with perhaps a few heavy showers. Feeling warm.

Saturday to Monday:

Dry for much of England and Wales through this period, with sunny spells. Generally cloudier for Scotland and Northern Ireland, with the risk of some patchy rain here at times.

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