20 May 2023 , 03:59
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Temperatures are set to soar up to 21C this weekend as sunshine sweeps the country.
Forecasters expect Saturday to be largely dry across England and Wales, while Scotland and Northern Ireland may experience some patches of light rain.
Sunday is predicted to be cloudy for the south and east of Scotland and Northern Ireland with some light rain, but conditions will be drier elsewhere with plenty of sunny spells and only some scattered patches of cloud.
Temperatures on both days will be in the late teens, but 21C can be expected in the North of England on Sunday.
"Across England and Wales, lots of sunshine is on the way," said BBC meteorologist Chris Fawkes.
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"It is going to feel warm in the sunshine with temperatures between 18C and 21C."
Sunbathers are advised to apply suncream this weekend as UV levels increase (Getty Images)Fawkes said it might be worth "slapping on some sun cream" as the UV levels begin to rise with the sunny conditions.
He suggested that the weekend could bring the warmest day so far this year.
The Met Office backed up the predictions for balmy weekend weather, but warned that coastal areas will feel cooler due to a strong breeze.
And the good news doesn't stop at the weekend as forecasters are predicting that the UK could be basking in blistering sunshine by the end of the month, as an extreme weather front dubbed the 'Africa plume' sweeps across the country.
Weather maps show that high pressure will soon replace the wet and windy conditions most of the country has endured so far this spring, with temperatures predicted to rocket up to highs of 35C.
Temperatures could peak at 21C on Sunday (Getty Images)The Met Office's long-range forecast, which covers the period from Tuesday May 23 - Thursday Jun 1, states that high pressure "will dominate over most of the UK through the first half of this period, with settled conditions for most of the country" and that the predicted warm weather fronts will "bring a good deal of fine and dry weather for the majority of areas".
Met Office Five-Day Forecast
Saturday
Rather cloudy for Scotland and Northern Ireland, with patchy rain moving southeastwards. Dry and bright for England and Wales, with some warm spells of sunshine. Breezy along coasts in the far southeast and north, making it feel cooler.
Saturday night:
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Rain turning more persistent across Northern Ireland and Scotland with heavy bursts. Dry elsewhere with clear intervals and isolated fog patches. Mild under cloud in the north, chillier further south.
Sunday:
Feeling cool under persistent cloud in Scotland and Northern Ireland with further patchy rain. Warm sunny spells for England and Wales, and remaining dry. Still breezy in the southeast.
Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:
A largely settled first half of the week with warm sunny spells. Cloudier at times in the northwest with patchy rain. Some fog at night but burning back by day.
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