Weather modelling maps suggest temperatures in some parts of the UK could soon rise as high as 24C, with a four-day warm spell expected towards the end of May.
Forecast Overview
The Met Office forecast indicates miserable conditions for most of this week, with temperatures not reaching 20C anywhere from Monday to Friday. However, the ECMWF weather model shows a balmy spell starting on May 21, when highs of 23C are possible in the south-east of England. The mercury could rise to 20C across much of central England, according to the maps.
On May 22, the maps show highs of 24C are on the cards in the south-east, including London. Other southern parts of England could reach 22C, while 21C is possible in central England.
Detailed Day-by-Day Breakdown
May 23 is expected to bring highs of 23C in southern England and 21C in the Midlands. Northern Ireland and Scotland will be cooler, but some areas of Wales near the English border could see temperatures around 20C.
The ECMWF model suggests May 24 will be the best day for widespread heat, with 22C and 23C highs possible across a large swathe of England, from the south coast up to Yorkshire. In total, 35 counties in England and Wales could see temperatures of 20C or above across the four days.
Counties Facing 20C or Above
England
- Yorkshire
- Lancashire
- Cheshire
- Shropshire
- Staffordshire
- Nottinghamshire
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Herefordshire
- Derbyshire
- Warwickshire
- Northamptonshire
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
- Cambridgeshire
- Gloucestershire
- Worcestershire
- Oxfordshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Bedfordshire
- Essex
- Kent
- Hertfordshire
- Surrey
- Berkshire
- Hampshire
- Wiltshire
- Dorset
- Somerset
- Devon
- Cornwall
Wales
- Flintshire
- Denbighshire
- Montgomeryshire
- Monmouthshire
Met Office Forecast for May
The Met Office's forecast suggests temperatures could turn "rather warm" towards the end of this month, but "cooler than average" conditions are expected beforehand. The forecast for May 16 to May 25 states: "Changeable and at times rather unsettled conditions look to dominate through the middle part of May, with low pressure often close by. This means periods of rain or showers, some of which could be heavy, for many places, though some drier interludes are also expected. Initially temperatures likely cooler than average, but tending to recover, perhaps becoming rather warm by the end of the period as it tends to become more settled, especially in the south."
