Temperatures in parts of the UK are set to soar today (Thursday), with highs of 20C predicted in London and Norwich thanks to a shift of warm air from Iberia.

The people of Nottingham will also be able to able to enjoy a sunny afternoon, with temperatures expected to reach 18C.

Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill said: “We are dragging up really warm air from Iberia and with relatively calm conditions in the South East that’s what is allowing temperatures to climb quite high.”

The rest of the country won’t have it so good however, with temperatures likely to peak at 14C in Belfast, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

This is down to a virtual good/bad weather dividing line from south-west Wales to Yorkshire which spells cooler, cloudier conditions with a risk of rain for those further north.

Heavy rain is expected across Northern Ireland and western Scotland on Friday, while above average temperatures are expected to turn into a wet weekend – literally – in the south.

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Mr Burkill said: “Saturday is looking quite showery across the whole of the UK, although Sunday will be a pretty decent day for most with calm and bright conditions.”

Highs of 17C are expected in the south on Sunday, while the mercury is unlikely to get above 14C further north.