Met Office delivers weather verdict on 35C 'Saharan plume'

The Met Office has delivered its official verdict amid reports a Saharan plume could bring scorching temperatures to the UK later this month.

While things now feel milder than they did at the weekend, some outlets have suggested the mercury could rise to as high as 35C as we head towards the end of May.

Currently, experts at the Met Office predict some mixed conditions for the rest of this week and into Monday, May 20, with highs of 18C and lows of 10C in Liverpool. According to its latest forecast, we can expect a variety of sunny spells and scattered showers, interspersed with some dry periods.

READ MORE: Weather experts predict another mini heatwave for Liverpool in coming days

READ MORE: Latest Jet2 rules for anyone visiting France, Spain, Turkey or Portugal

Responding to claims we could then experience a UK heatwave, a Met Office spokesperson told the ECHO that it is simply too far ahead to comment on any possible heatwave later in the month, but added that its forecasts do not suggest anything about a Saharan plume.

The Met Office's long-range UK forecast for May 18-27 currently predicts temperatures to be "around or a little above average". Here is the forecast in full for this period: "Changeable with showers developing by day across the UK through the end of the week and over the weekend [May 18 and 19].

"The heaviest showers and greatest risk of thunderstorms across southern parts. Temperatures generally around or just a little above average, though with winds tending to be light, still feeling warm in sunnier areas.

"Over the weekend there are signs that showers may start to ease across the north with drier, more settled conditions probably becoming established for a time here. Confidence lowers into the following week with signals mixed.

"On balance a continuation of the showers in the south seems most likely, with the north continuing to see the best of any drier weather. Temperatures probably remaining a little above average."

Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here

Enter our £1,000 Aldi voucher giveaway and go wild in the aisles