Spring warmth this weekend – but sunshine not for all

Earlier this week, I explained that warmer air is finally going to be arriving on our shores, thanks to the jet stream moving northwards – back to where it should be at this time of year.

As a result, temperatures are going to rise through the weekend, with the warmest day of the year so far expected. However, as I mentioned in my blog on Tuesday, there are a number of caveats.

The air that will arrive this weekend is not just going to be warmer, it’s also going to be moister. Therefore, some places will have rain accompany the rising temperatures.

Even places that reach 17-21C in the east of England won’t have clear blue skies – something that I’ll come on to in just a moment.

Saturday

Most places on Saturday will start on a chilly note with patchy mist and fog.

Scotland and northern England will stay dry and bright for much of the day. However, elsewhere, after some sunshine, cloud will thicken through the day, with outbreaks of rain spreading northwards during the afternoon.

The rain is likely to be heavy at times in the west, but in the east it’ll tend to be light for much of the time.

For all places, the wind is going to pick up through the day, with gales likely in the west.

Temperatures are likely to be in double figures almost everywhere, reaching 10-15C, with the highest temperatures in north east England.

Sunday

On Sunday, the weather across the UK is going to fall into three different zones.

East Anglia and south east England will have the finest weather. Here, it’s going to be generally dry, with bright or sunny spells and a steady breeze. However, don’t expect clear blue skies because there will be a fair amount of high cloud in the sky at times.

Nevertheless, temperatures should reach 17-21C, with the highest temperature likely to be recorded in East Anglia. Southern coastal areas will be cooler with a breeze off the chilly English Channel.

Northern England, the Midlands, Wales and south west England will be generally cloudy and windy. There’ll also be outbreaks of rain gradually moving eastwards through the day – heaviest for Wales and north west England.

With more in the way of cloud, temperatures are going to be in the range of 11-17C, with the highest temperatures across north east England and the Midlands.

Scotland and Northern Ireland will have a wet start, with some heavy rain. Through the day, sunshine will arrive, but there’ll also be plenty of showers, accompanied by a strong wind.

Temperature here will sit at around 11-16C, but feeling cooler given the strength of the wind.

Next week

The weather through next week is looking mixed, with outbreaks of rain at times, interspersed with drier and bright interludes.

The good news is that the milder air is going to stay with us, so when the sun comes out, it will feel quite pleasant, with temperatures reaching the mid-teens.

Don’t forget, you can get the latest forecast on the Channel 4 Weather website. You can also get my regular updates on Twitter – @liamdutton