UK weather: Brits set to bake in two April heatwaves – and one could be just days away

Brits are set to bask in two heatwaves this morning – with the first set to kick off today and last all weekend in some areas.

The first taste of summer arrives today from 1pm around parts of the UK, as temperatures begin to rise. The mercury will eventually reach 20C by 4pm in the East and South East of the country while even the north of Scotland will enjoy temperatures of 18C. Thanks to the arrival of a 72-hour African plume it will stay sunny all weekend and last until Monday, when conditions will turn cooler again.

BBC weather forecaster Helen Willetts says it is set to feel “warm”. She said: “We might see some brighter skies and sunshine coming through before the next source of rain starts to materialise across western parts again. But look at the temperatures on Thursday it’s looking mild, in fact warm in strengthening April sunshine.

“The milder warmer Atlantic air is within through Thursday and indeed Friday to end the week and perhaps even to start the weekend but not full on as we get some colder air starting to dig in behind it as you can see. By the weekend or by the end of the weekend it’s a return to slightly cooler weather.”

Temperatures are set to hit 20C today, according to forecasts

The Met Office outlook for Thursday reads: ” Low cloud, some fog and patchy light rain or drizzle will affect southernmost counties of England and parts of Wales today. Elsewhere it will be generally dry, though breezy, with some warm spells of sunshine developing.” Looking ahead at Thursday night, it added: “Low cloud, fog and patchy rain will feed north across western and northern areas overnight. The far northeast should hold onto clear spells. Mostly dry, but cloudy towards the southeast.”

For next week there is even the possibility of snow as temperatures drop. The Met Office forecast from April 15-24 states: “Winds from the north or northwest are expected to affect the UK at the start of this period. This brings showers or some longer spells of rain, these most frequent across the north and northwest. Some heavy rain is likely at times with a risk of snow over high ground.

“However, further south conditions should be drier and brighter. Strong winds could also develop and temperatures will mostly be below normal. Through the rest of this period a change to milder conditions will probably occur. This is likely to be accompanied by a build of pressure, meaning more in the way of dry weather, especially in the south and east. Some rain is still possible at times, mainly in the northwest, but this should be less heavy than recently.”