UK faces next heatwave sooner than expected with three areas hottest

The UK faces its next mini-heatwave sooner than anticipated - with some above-average temperatures across the country THIS weekend. After the Met Office warned snowfall could fall in higher areas and on elevated ground this week, parts of the north are now braced for rising mercury levels.

There will be north-south divide in the weather - with northern areas enjoying the warmth - this weekend. It will be warm in the north of England on the weekend akin to conditions described by Brits as a "mini-heatwave" at the start of the month, which lasted 72 hours and triggered 21.5C heat.

The best of the weather on the weekend will likely be enjoyed across Yorkshire, Northeast England and some parts of eastern Scotland. Looking ahead to Friday, the Met Office says: "Dry, chilly and mostly sunny to start. Cloud bubbling up with a scattering of showers developing but many places remaining dry.

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"Light winds but still feeling rather cool." And in an outlook for the weekend, it goes on: "Cloudy but mainly dry on Saturday, showers possible later. Breezier on Sunday and wet with heavy rain at times. Drier and brighter on Monday. Rather cool for late April."

In a forecast for April 29 to May 8, the Met Office says: "Temperatures likely to trend upwards, with the chance of a warm to very warm spell in some southern and eastern parts, before conditions probably turn drier, cooler and more settled from the west towards the end of the period."

Looking ahead to Friday, the BBC said: "Tomorrow will be a day of sunshine and showers for many, particularly in the north and east. The far south-west could see a few heavier showers occasionally. Turning drier and brighter to end the day."

It adds for the weekend: "On Saturday, the south will see a somewhat cloudy and dry day. In the afternoon, it will turn increasingly wet and breezy, with heavy rain at the end of the day. Further north, cloudy with showers initially, both clearing later. Heavy rain will affect England and Wales on Sunday, staying clear of Scotland and Northern Ireland which may stay brighter. Settled for most on Monday."