Weather maps reveal when Iberian plume to bring balmy 21C heat to UK

An Iberian plume is set to bring balmy highs of 21C to the UK in just weeks. Much of Britain has been battling with wet and windy weather, with miserable conditions only temporarily giving way to sunshine.

But things could soon change as the mercury is predicted to climb as we head towards May. Weather maps from Netweather indicate it will begin to warm up on Tuesday, April 30.

Temperatures are expected to rise to 21C in London. The south coast of England, near to Bournemouth, looks set to see highs of 18C.

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There could be a warm 19C in the Midlands, while Liverpool could see 20C, Express reports. Scotland is also set to see warmer conditions, with highs of 19C near Inverness.

The Iberian plume is a weather pattern which sees a mass of warm air moving from the Iberian plateau or the Sahara to northwestern Europe, which includes the UK. Jim Dale, senior meteorologist at British Weather Services, said the UK could join the countries seeing record temperatures.

He said: "Well it’s not home and hosed just yet but the trend is moving into position. Iberian or African plumes are behind the times when the UK does receive much above average temperatures.

"Iberia has already witnessed record temperatures for the time of year and before long I’ve no doubt we will join the global throng of countries that have seen or are seeing record or near record temperatures." He added: "We will not be immune and late April/early May could well deliver that."

In its long-range forecast for Wednesday, May 1 to Wednesday, May 15, the Met Office said temperatures are likely to be higher than average. It said: "Around the turn of the month high pressure will probably remain close to the UK, with a good deal of dry weather continuing for many areas.

"As we move further into May signals are finely balanced between drier than average and wetter than average conditions. As such fairly typical conditions are likely, with some good spells of dry weather just about anywhere, but also some more unsettled, showery interludes."

It added: "Temperatures are likely to trend toward the warm side of average."