Met Office issues heatwave verdict as high pressure to build this weekend

The Met Office has issued its verdict on whether we can expect a heatwave anytime soon. It comes as high pressure is set to bring more settled conditions this weekend.

Much of the country has experienced windy, wet weather so far this week, despite temperatures feeling rather mild. The Met Office said drier conditions will slowly become more dominant as the week continues, though.

This week sees an improving picture, with high pressure becoming increasingly dominant over the weekend and bringing dry, more settled conditions for many. The forecaster said that tomorrow (Wednesday April 16) will see a chilly start, with a warm front bringing showers to northeastern and eastern areas. Clouds will begin to build throughout the afternoon and showers will return in places, but temperatures will stay in double figures for the majority.

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There will be longer spells of rain and wind on Thursday thanks to an area of low pressure moving in from the north. But the cold front will clear on Friday, with clouds and outbreaks of rain subsiding and bringing a mostly fine day to many, with average temperatures.

There will be a cold start to the weekend, according to the Met Office, however some 'much awaited high pressure' will move in from the Atlantic. Expect light wind and sunshine, with temperatures reaching the mid-teens.

High pressure will still be in place on Sunday, with cloudier skies but some sunny spells too. "That milder air spreads across the UK, with temperatures up a touch compared to Saturday," the Met Office added.

But Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mark Sidaway warned: “Don’t expect a heatwave. Temperatures will be close, or a little above average but feeling warm in the sunshine and light winds.

"The high will also bring with it a good deal of dry weather for most of the country, although some northern and perhaps eastern areas will see a little rain at times.”

A heatwave is an extended period of hot weather relative to the expected conditions of the area at that time of year, which may be accompanied by high humidity. A UK heatwave threshold is met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold.

For the north of England, the threshold is 25C. For most of southern England, it's between 27 and 28C.