UK set for two hottest days of year with two parts of England warmest

The UK is set for its hottest days of the year next weekend - with May 5 and May 6 earmarked for the warmest days so far. Forecasters say East Anglia and the south east of England will be hottest, with temperatures "above average", according to the Met Office.

James Madden, from Exacta Weather, said: "Following on from this will see high pressure and more settled weather finally beginning to take hold; however, it is still likely to be on the cool side to begin with, and before temperatures start to finally warm up significantly during the final third of April and into early May.

"It is within this period that we could see maximum temperatures ranging in the mid to high 20s, at the very least for the first time this year and over a sustained time period." The Met Office said temperatures should start going up by about 1C week-by-week with the mercury a "little above average" at this time.

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Giving its verdict ranging from April 27 to May 6, the Met Office said: "Onshore winds along eastern coasts will likely make it feel rather cold at times, though for all parts temperatures will likely trend back toward average. Into early May, something of a north-south split looks possible, with relatively drier conditions further to the north and the greatest chance of rain further to the south."

The BBC Weather outlook for May 6 to May 19 adds: "According to the global weather models, the high pressure stays north of the UK and extends to Scandinavia and even north-west Russia, while the low pressure may mainly affect the southern parts of the UK. Temperatures will rise.

"Higher winds and wetter conditions are expected, especially in the southern parts of the country, though Scotland and Northern Ireland could remain drier." It goes on: "There is also a chance that conditions will calm overall, and temperatures will continue to rise as the area of high pressure over Scandinavia continues to establish itself, bringing with it a warm and dry easterly flow."