Brits set for first 'soft heatwave' of year as mercury could soar to 25C

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Brits could be set to enjoy warmer temperatures soon (Image: James Linsell-Clark/ SWNS)
Brits could be set to enjoy warmer temperatures soon (Image: James Linsell-Clark/ SWNS)

Brits could be set for their first heatwave of the year this month with some forecasts indicating temperatures could be set to soar.

A "soft heatwave" could be on its way later this month, an expert has predicted, with temperature possibly reaching above 20C.

Jim Dale, senior meteorologist at British Weather Services, said temperatures could rise from around April 15.

He told the Express that the possible warmer weather will be a soft heatwave as the country begins to warm up over the spring

He told the newspaper: "We do get heatwaves in April, it does happen. It'll be a soft heatwave for the second half of April, it could get somewhere in the mid-20s pushing to May, in that general direction.

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts qhiquqidrzidruinvGales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts
Brits set for first 'soft heatwave' of year as mercury could soar to 25C'It'll be a soft heatwave for the second half of April,' Jim predicted (Getty Images)

"I can't be overly detailed at the moment, but the signs are there for this kind of change - it's when you see the charts going in that direction.

"The only thing we have to work with is unpredictability - but it is certainly going that way at the moment."

Netweather maps also show that warmer weather could appear in northern France from April 17, bringing temperatures of 20C to London and southern England.

Brits set for first 'soft heatwave' of year as mercury could soar to 25CSome forecasts predict warmer weather from April 17 (Steve Reigate)

The forecast indicates Greater Manchester could see highs of around 19C, though Jim added that there is very little chance of temperatures going above the 20s at this time of year.

Storms and unsettled conditions are widely expected next week and the Met Office said "Tuesday will likely mark the arrival of a low-pressure system to or close to the UK, bringing generally unsettled conditions for the first few days of this period, with strong winds and rain."

There is also the possibility of coastal gales in the period of April 11 to April 20.

Brits set for first 'soft heatwave' of year as mercury could soar to 25CWarmer weather could bring some respite after a cold winter (James Maloney/Lancs Live)

"We are still waiting for our first UK-named storm of the year," Jim added. "We have had continental storms - and we had about six by this time last year.

"This year we have had none. But that doesn't yet mean we are out of the woods as next week it does get a bit gravelly."

The Met Office, meanwhile, said in its long-range forecast that conditions through mid-April are likely to stay the same.

It said: "Generally, a continuation of conditions through mid-April is most likely. However, there is potential for more widely unsettled and perhaps windy weather at first, before settled conditions re-establish later in the month.

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"It is most likely that temperatures will be close to or just above average."

Victoria Chessum

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