Exact date 24-hour 'mini-heatwave' forecast as maps turn orange

Brits can look forward to a brief respite from the chill as a "mini-heatwave" is on the horizon, with temperatures set to soar past the 20C mark. Weather maps have taken on a vibrant orange hue, indicating a warm spell, according to one forecaster.

According to WX Charts, from April 26, the UK is expected to see temperatures surpassing 20C, albeit briefly - marking a stark contrast to the recent three-day period of 21.5C highs. The southern regions and eastern coastline are tipped to enjoy the lion's share of the warmth.

As for the upcoming weekend, the Met Office has forecasted mostly dry conditions with sunny spells on Saturday. Lighter winds are also on the cards, which should make it feel somewhat warmer, despite a continued chill in the overnight air.

Read more: All parts of the UK set for hot weather

Some areas could even experience "very warm" conditions at times. A Met Office spokesperson elaborated: "The wind will probably therefore predominantly come from a northerly or easterly direction, so temperatures at least in the east are likely to remain around or a little below average, with any warmer conditions generally further west and with the sun quite strong, it could feel very warm at times."

Further insights include: "There should be a reasonable amount of dry weather around, especially in the north and west, but some rain or showers are likely at times, most-likely in the south and east, but amounts are expected to be modest," as reported by Birmingham Live.

The BBC Weather team has forecasted a period of uncertainty for the upcoming week, from April 22 to April 28, suggesting: "The next week remains uncertain but there are some signs that high pressure to the west or north of the UK is holding, which could lead to calmer and drier weather, particularly in the north and west. Near average temperatures are expected for much of the UK."

As we look towards May, it seems we might be in for a treat with Netweather TV predicting: "Temperatures are most likely to be near to slightly above normal overall, with a tendency towards north-easterly winds again early in the period perhaps becoming more southerly towards the end of the period, which would allow warmer temperatures at times."