Is there a late spring heatwave on the way?

Two women wearing sunglasses on a sunny day. One carrying an umbrella and mobile phoneEPA
Darren Bett
Lead Weather Presenter

Parts of the UK are preparing for a possible heatwave as temperatures are forecast to rise as high as 28C ahead of the bank holiday weekend.

This comes after a period of unusually cold weather last week.

For the next few days temperatures will be back up to nearer average before starting to climb further.

Although it turns drier after midweek, rain remains in the forecast.

Cloudy skies and a countryside view with rolling fields and yellow and orange poppies in the foreground.BBC WeatherWatchers/Phil B in Little Hayfield

Showers have been widespread to start the week

Warmer this week after a wet start

By Wednesday temperatures will be up to 21C (70F).

Most places will be dry on Thursday and Friday with temperatures reaching up to 28C (82F) in south-eastern parts of England.

This will be the warmest weather of the year so far, exceeding the 26.6 Celsius (79.8F) recorded at Kew Gardens during an unusually warm early April.

Colour map of UK and Europe showing high pressure the the east of the UK, southerly wind arrows and warm air, and a front with cloud and patchy rain near Northern Ireland and Scotland.BBC Weather

High pressure to the east on Friday leads to a warm southerly breeze but a weather front threatens rain to the west

The main reason for the warmer weather is a change in the wind direction.

It was so cold last week because the wind was blowing from the north.

At the beginning of the week south-westerly winds blow in from the Atlantic, with areas of low pressure dominating the weather pattern.

Later in the week the wind will be blowing from the south and that is when it really warms up.

Will there be a heatwave?

A heatwave in the UK is defined by the Met Office as at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures exceeding a county-specific threshold, reflecting unusually hot weather for the time of year.

The heatwave threshold temperature varies across the UK. In Greater London it is 28 Celsius whereas in Northern Ireland it is 25 Celsius.

It is possible that a few places could meet the heatwave definition during Friday, Saturday and Sunday. At the moment, counties like Herefordshire and Worcestershire look most likely.

But a lot depends on whether showers develop over the bank holiday weekend.

Two colour temperature maps of the UK showing a range of maximum temperatures. On the left, Friday temperatures showing 19-28 Celsius. On the right, Sunday temperatures showing 20-26 Celsius.BBC Weather

Maximum temperatures forecast for Friday and Sunday

Bank holiday weather

The good news is that it still looks warm for many places with temperatures 20-26 Celsius over the long weekend.

But it may not be dry everywhere.

There could be some showers around on Saturday, particularly in Scotland, Wales and western parts of England. Showers on Sunday should be confined to southern England as an area of high pressure builds back across northern parts of the UK.

Monday is looking dry but an easterly wind is expected to develop, which will keep North Sea coastal areas cooler.

The details over the weekend are still uncertain. Keep up to date on the BBC Weather app and the Weather for the Week Ahead.

More on this topic