BRITS can look forward to a rise in temperatures this weekend as the mercury is expected to hit 20C, following a blast of “Arctic air” swept over Britain.
The Met Office is forecasting a welcome period of warmer conditions with the top temperature coming on Sunday.
Friday got off to a cold and crisp start, with a widespread frost overnight seeing all four countries of the UK dropping below zero degrees Celsius and temperatures getting as low as -2.7C in Topcliffe in North Yorkshire.
Tonight though, rain will spread across Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland with gales whipping up in the far northwest by dawn.
It will be milder overnight elsewhere but cold under clearer skies in the southeast, leading to some grass frost and mist and fog patches.
After a chilly few days and nights, things will turn a bit warmer this weekend with much of the south fine and sunny, but some rain in parts of the north.
Many areas will be fine and dry on Saturday.
It will be a chilly start in the south, but temperatures will start to recover to near-average throughout the day.
It will be cloudier in Northern Ireland and Scotland with rain predicted in the far northwest.
Temperatures will be warmer and back to their seasonal average.
Sunday is likely to see a top temperature of 20C although rain will move into northern England.
The North and South can both expect sunny spells.
Expected temperatures will be into the high teens, perhaps even 20°C.
Jason Kelly, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “The cold Arctic air we have been experiencing will be replaced with warmer westerlies over the weekend.
“High pressure will bring fine weather to the south, but there is an area of low pressure to the northwest, which will push some weather fronts across Scotland and Northern Ireland, bringing rain and thicker cloud.
“It will also be windy across Northern Scotland, especially on Saturday.”
The warm spell will be very much welcomed after a blast of Arctic air brought “considerably colder” conditions.
September 18-27
Through the second half of next week, the vast majority of the UK is expected to be fine and dry, with spells of sunshine for most areas during the day, the Met Office predicts.
“If any rainfall develops it will likely be confined to the far north or northwest and only at the start of this period.
“Daytime temperatures will likely be above average for many regions, although some cool nights are possible with mist or fog patches developing overnight.
“Fairly strong winds could affect the south at times.
:There is little change expected during the following weekend and much of the week that follows, although by late September there is a chance that more unsettled conditions may begin to develop.”
With a ridge of high pressure expected to be in charge, next week looks to be dry and warmer for many, the Met Office said.
Further rain into northern areas on Monday but turning drier for most on Tuesday.
David Oliver, a Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office said: “In the wake of the front on Sunday, high pressure then builds, bringing fine and dry conditions to most parts of the UK for much of next week.
“If any rain develops it is expected to be confined to the extreme northwest of Scotland on Monday and Tuesday.
“There is a risk of some fog patches overnight and temperatures continue to increase, with many places a little above average by mid-week.”
