Met Office official verdict on 'mini heatwave' amid cold snap

The Met Office has given a glimmer of hope to freezing Brits, suggesting that the weather may improve slightly. However, before this happens, there's a high chance that thunderstorms will roll in.

Despite rumours of an impending 'heatwave', the Met Office clarified that while temperatures are expected to rise by the end of next week, it won't be anything drastic. Met Office forecaster Annie Shuttleworth warned of heavy downpours over the weekend and explained that the chilly conditions this week have been due to a northerly wind direction and a cold air mass.

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She noted that the arrival of low pressure moving from the south up the country would result in heavy rain for many on Saturday and Sunday, reports Wales Online. The Met Office predicts that many areas, particularly in the south, will receive more than 10mm of rain on Saturday, which could extend into parts of northern England. There is also a risk of afternoon thunderstorms across the south.

Shuttleworth further stated: "On Sunday that risk is much greater and much wider spread for that heavier rain. We've got a high probability that much of Wales, northern England and southern England will see that heavier rain, and for the southeast with that low pressure there is a thunderstorm risk."

The forecaster highlighted a chillier start to Monday, but with low pressure moving in from the southwest by Tuesday, we could see a shift to southerly winds, which would usher in milder air. She explained: "Temperatures will continue to rise to average if not a bit above average for the start of next week."

Midweek temperatures are expected to hover around 13.5C, accompanied by rain showers and heavier bursts of rain in the south, though conditions should turn drier as the week progresses. She added that there's potential for even warmer weather: "We could see temperatures closer to 20C in some southern areas later on next week as we see some of that sunshine and I think temperatures will just be a bit more pleasant and certainly the night-time temperatures escaping the risk of frost we have had through this week."