UK to roast in 22C scorcher but only 'half' of England will feel benefit

James Rodger
·2-min read

A Met Office map shows exactly where will sizzle in 18C highs. Temperatures will build through the high teens and into the twenties with as high as 22C expected at times on Thursday May 2, the Met Office maps and charts have shown.

Nicola Maxey, spokeswoman for the Met Office, said that while southern parts will experience heavy rain, northern parts should stay dry and warm. She said: “We have a weather front moving north, coming up across the south west, and then later in the evening we have some air pushing in from the near continent, so two discrete weather systems.

“So some potentially heavier rain more widespread with the threat of thunderstorms and then the air from the near continent into the south east and up across London and further north again bringing the risk of thunderstorms, perhaps more isolated thunderstorms.

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"Those bring the risk of lightning, hail, thunder, obviously, and isolated heavy downpours.” She added: “Elsewhere, there is certainly drier weather in the north and it is trending warmer.” It comes amid heavy thunderstorm warnings for swathes of the south of England.

South Wales is also affected by the thunder and lightning forecast. The Met Office forecast for Birmingham and the Midlands today reads: "A cloudy start but low cloud will slowly lift leading to some sunny spells in the west. Cloud building from the east during the afternoon with organised and potentially thundery rain arriving later."

It adds, looking ahead to tonight: "Rain, potentially thundery will move westwards across the West Midlands overnight. Turning somewhat drier for a time during the early hours." It goes on: "A cloudy start on Thursday, with any light rain soon easing. Skies turning brighter from the north and east during the afternoon.

"Feeling warm in the sunshine." The Met Office outlook for the weekend adds: "Largely cloudy on Friday with outbreaks of rain. Remaining unsettled into the weekend with showers or longer spells of rain. Feeling warm, particularly in any sunny spells."

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