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Saturday begins dry but there is a lot of low cloud and mist. Through the day sunny periods develop but in the north east it probably remains overcast. This afternoon scattered showers break out in southern and central regions but many places miss them and have a pleasant day. 

Arpege 00z, forecast cloud cover, 16:00 BST Sat 14th April

It will be much warmer than recently. Temperatures range from about 12C (54F) to 19C (66F) in the south. See the rainfall and precipitation type radar for the latest view.

Tonight most of the UK remains dry but cloud thickens from the south west. Later on outbreaks of rain push into the south west.

Tomorrow showery bursts of rain spread northeastwards and times they could become heavy, especially in the north and west of the UK. It will be cooler than today.

Taste of summer on the way

On Monday wet and windy weather pushes into Northern Ireland and north western Britain but elsewhere it should be dry. Central and eastern areas are expected to have sunny periods.

The risk of rain continues in the north and west on Tuesday. There is uncertainty about how much of the UK the wet weather will affect but central and south eastern England are likely to remain dry and quite warm.

Through the middle of the week high pressure over continental Europe strengthens and extends its influence farther west. That blocks the eastwards flow of Atlantic weather fronts and leads to very warm air from southern Europe filtering northwards across the UK 

The GFS 00z chart below is for 16:00 BST, Wednesday 19th April. It shows temperatures reaching 21C (70F) in much of the country.

GFS 00z, forecast 850hPa temperatures and surface pressure, 16:00 BST Wed 18th April

Thursday could turn out to be the warmest day of the week. Temperatures of 25C (77F) are possible and 27C (81F) is not out of the question in one or two locations.

By Friday the risk of wet weather may return to northern and western regions but the south east probably stays dry and warm. The weekend could bring more fine weather as another area of high pressure builds back in from the southwest.

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Warmer and drier conditions develop early next week. After April 21st temperatures trend downwards and the chance of changeable weather returning increases. View latest GEFS.