The UK is set to bask in the warmest weather of 2025 so far, with forecasters predicting a surge in temperatures from the weekend into next week, possibly reaching highs of 26°C.
According to BBC Weather’s lead presenter, Darren Bett, a shift in wind direction and increased sunshine will bring about the sudden rise in temperatures.
“If it feels chilly now, just wait until next week,” he said, hinting that Brits might want to prepare their BBQs and sunscreen.
Saturday will bring mixed conditions across the UK, with temperatures ranging from 13°C to 17°C. While western regions may see rain, the east will likely stay dry under a blanket of cloud.
By Sunday, rain will retreat northwards to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
England and Wales will benefit from a rise in atmospheric pressure, clearing skies and warmer air.
This is timely for major events like the London and Manchester marathons.
London will offer ideal running conditions , dry and mostly sunny, starting at 13°C and climbing to 20°C or 21°C by midday.
Manchester should also stay dry with sunny intervals and a high of around 17°C, aided by a mild south-westerly breeze.
Early next week, a southerly airflow will pull in warmer air from continental Europe, sending temperatures across much of the UK to 22°C–23°C.
By Wednesday, the Midlands and southeast England could see highs of 25°C to 27°C — levels not recorded since early September last year.
While these temperatures are notable, they’re not unprecedented.
The UK’s highest April temperature was 29.4°C in London back in 1949. The last time it reached 27°C in April was in 2018, in Cambridge.
The warm spell is being driven by a “blocked” weather pattern, high pressure over eastern Europe and low pressure to the west.
This setup funnels warm air into the UK and could remain in place until the end of next week.
However, changes are possible by the following weekend, with the potential for cooler conditions returning to the north and showers developing in the south.
As the jet stream continues to weaken and warp due to rapid Arctic warming, meteorologists warn that such blocked patterns could become more frequent, a potential hallmark of climate change’s evolving impact on weather systems.
