Claire Reid
Brits are set for a nine-day 'mini heatwave' later this month, with parts of the country enjoying temperatures of 20ºC.
From Thursday 5 May things are set to heat up and it will continue to get warmer as we head into the weekend with the chance of ‘above average’ temperatures.
London and the south east are forecast temperatures of up to 20ºC and will remain dry for nine days. However, those in the north and north west may see some rain while temperatures are set to hit 19ºC in Manchester and Liverpool over the weekend.
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It's a similar story in the West Midlands, with 19ºC forecast for several days before it gets a bit cooler at 17ºC.
Cardiff is also set to enjoy highs of 19ºC across the nine days, while in Scotland it’ll be cooler at around 15ºC.
The Met Office’s forecast for 5 to 14 May reads: "Winds are generally light, with the chance of some stronger winds in the north. Into the weekend, cloudy conditions with the risk of rain in the north and northwest. Elsewhere mostly dry with sunny spells and a few showers.
"Into the following week generally settled conditions should prevail in the south, whereas in the north, conditions are more changeable. Temperatures are likely to be around or above average throughout, but cooler towards the north and near coasts."
Earlier this week, the Met Office predicted a ‘warmer than average’ three-months this summer.
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It said: “There is an increase in the likelihood of warmer-than-average conditions in the month ahead.
“Predictions are consistent in suggesting an increase in the likelihood of temperatures being above average overall.
“While this doesn’t necessarily mean heatwaves will occur, it does increase the likelihood of heatwaves compared to normal.”
Bookies Coral have odds on a record-breaking summer at 5/4 – down from 3/2 earlier this year.
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Spokesperson John Hill told the Express: “The betting is pointing to a record hot summer this year in the UK.
“After what has been an unsettled couple of weeks, it is something to look forward to.”
As for the bank holiday today, 2 May, it’s a bit more of a mixed bag.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist David Oliver told the Mirror: "A good deal of dry weather is expected on Monday with most areas only seeing some isolated showers and mild temperatures, widely in the mid-teens.”