Weather forecast tomorrow UK – Scorching 23C heat blast hits TODAY as Brits face brutal record heatwaves this summer

London in pictures: City workers took a break from the office to soak up the sun

Office workers made the most of the hot weather and made a break for the outdoors.

Thursday (12 May) turned out to be warm and sunny, so Londoners made the most of the balmy weather and took to the Scoop by the riverside to bask in the sun.

Many took their lunches along with them and sat and socialised in the warm weather.

Temperatures are forecast to rise in the coming days.

City workers relaxing in the sunshine at the Scoop on London riverside as temperatures are forecast to rise over the coming days in London and South of EnglandCredit: Alamy

In pictures: Swimmers brave the choppy sea in swimming costumes

Things are certainly heating up as women head to the beach on a rather chilly afternoon.

Summer is well and truly on its way, but some Brits are impatient to wait and have already hit the beaches.

Two women were snapped heading into the sea in just swimming costumes, despite the overcast weather. The cooler temperatures didn’t stop the brave swimmers as they wadded into the water.

The west Dorset beach was practically deserted on Wednesday afternoon (12 May).

The ladies made the most of the warmer weather and took a dip in the seaCredit: Alamy

Met Office predict scorching temperatures this summer

The three month outlook predicts at least four to five heatwaves on the horizon.

The Met Office said there is a “40% chance” this summer “will be significantly hotter than average” and just a 10% chance that temperatures will be cooler.

This summer could be the hottest the UK has seen for a very long time.

Temperatures in the UK have never hit 40C but weather officials believe this could happen in recent years due to climate change.

Sunny weather is on the cards this summerCredit: Alamy

Map shows North African plume sweep across UK

SCORCHING North African weather will sweep across Britain this weekend, as an amazing map shows where will be hit by stunning sunny spells.

Hot, dry air from the African continent will blow north in the next few days turning temperatures up across the UK.

The heat from the tropical continental air mass will make it feel like summer this weekend with highs of 25C.

However, these sweltering temperatures do mean there’s also a risk of thunderstorms as heat builds up.

Today will see 20C sunshine in the south before the mercury rises a couple of degrees tomorrow.

If the heat gets a little higher, the UK might even break its own record for the hottest day of the year so far.

Hot North African weather will sweep towards the UK bringing highs of 25C this weekendCredit: wxcharts

Brits face ‘record’ heatwaves this summer

Looking into the long- range summer weather James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, has said: “The overall summer forecast is now pointing towards at least four or five major heatwaves.”

The Met Office’s three-month weather outlook is more conservative, with forecasters predicting a “40% chance” this summer “will be significantly hotter than average”.

Scorching 23C temperatures to roast London TODAY, Met Office says

THE MET Office have confirmed that Brits could see highs of 23C TODAY – and has said Brits face ‘record’ heatwaves this summer.

In today’s London forecast the Met Office have said: “A bright, dry day with plenty of sunshine and temperatures feeling warm.

“Breezy to start but winds easing through the day. Maximum temperature 23 °C.”

Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern added: “Through Saturday night and Sunday as temperatures rise and the fine weather arrives.

“Also we could see some showers or thunderstorms drifting north from the continent, most likely affecting the southern part of the UK on Saturday night and Sunday but perhaps more widely later.

“At the same time if we get some sunshine and this plume occurring, temperatures could be rising, early part of next week it’s possible to see low to mid 20s fairly widely and high 20s around the South East if we get sunshine associated with this plume but as I mentioned it does bring the threat of thundery outbreaks at the same time.”

As we move into the weekend Brits can expect a ‘dry and bright Saturday’ with temperatures of 21C, as a North African plume will sweep in.

Gardening tips for May

May marks the end of Spring and a clear transition to Summer.

For those green-fingered among us, what does this mean for our plants?

Average temperatures reach about 10C in England and 8C in Scotland during May, but be mindful that this year is set to be a scorcher of a month.

So, here are 5 tips to bear in mind:
1. Bold bedding can be planted but ensure the last of the frost has passed so as not to kill them off.

2. Be resourceful with limited water supply. May is considered the driest month of the year so find out from the RHS what you can do to reuse, collect and store water.

3. Establish a regular mowing routine. You might find your grass becomes overgrown this month, but don’t mow too often – longer grass means more bugs and creepy crawlies, which is great for birds and other wildlife. Or get involved in No Mow May.

4. If you have a greenhouse, ensure you keep it ventilated to prevent the plants from frying.

5. Look out for nesting birds. You might be keen to prune and chop, but beware of any nesting birds in the bush or hedges – did you know they’re legally protected?

Next week weather is going to be glorious!

There may be the odd thunderstorm to break up the heat.

Settled and dry conditions are expected across the UK with temperatures above average for most.

While warm weather is expected everywhere, the south of the UK will likely experience the full brunt of it as the air moves up from mainland Europe.

Early June forecast

Rather changeable at the start of the period, with spells of rain or showers for many areas, some of these heavy and thundery.

A change in weather is likely as we move from May into June, with a shift towards more settled, drier conditions.

Showers still remain a possibility in some places, but a drier end to the period is likely for most.

We can expect temperatures to continue to be warm or very warm, but likely to move back to nearer normal through June.

Warm temperatures expected next week

Settled and dry conditions are expected across the UK with temperatures above average for most.

While warm weather is expected everywhere, the south of the UK will likely experience the full brunt of it as the air moves up from mainland Europe.

The heatwave could also last into the following week, according to the Met Office.

Their long-range forecast has predicted warm temperatures to last until May 23.

North African blast heading our way

BRITS, brace yourselves for early summer heat as a 25C North African blast is set to bring record temperatures.

The sweltering weather is expected to reach our coasts making this the hottest May in 100 years.

According to The Express, the UK is due to melt as temperatures reach the high 20s in the middle of this month.

The hot weather is the result of a gust from Italy and the South of France.

Jim Dale, senior meteorologist at British Weather Services told the Express: The near continent is getting hot and we’re getting a little bit of that warmth into London that will give us the warmest day of the year so far next week.”

He added: “When we get to Wednesday, [we could see] 25 degrees in London. It continues into the following days.”

From 16 May to 21 May, temperatures above 20C are likely but it’s expected to reach a dizzying 28C in areas, particularly in the south and south east.

Meanwhile northern parts of the UK and Scotland will be as warm as 16C.

Saturday to be a scorcher

Firstly this week, the South is forecast to be mostly dry with spells of sunshine all week, but Saturday will be a scorcher.

There may be the odd thunderstorm to break up the heat.

Settled and dry conditions are expected across the UK with temperatures above average for most.

While warm weather is expected everywhere, the south of the UK will likely experience the full brunt of it as the air moves up from mainland Europe.

The heatwave could also last into the following week, according to the Met Office.

Their long-range forecast has predicted warm temperatures to last until May 23.

Odds on having hottest ever summer

Leading bookmaker Coral has cut the odds to 4-5 (from 2-1) on the UK having its hottest ever summer this year.

The firm go 2-1 for this month to be a record hot May, while it is 5-2 for 30C or higher being recorded this month in the UK.

“We now make it odds-on for the UK to have a record hot summer this year. All the latest forecasts point to a sizzling summer,” said Coral’s John Hill.

“The outlook for the rest of May is very bright. Our betting is pointing to temperatures reaching close to 30C,” added Hill.

Coral’s UK weather odds:

• 4-5 Record hot summer
• 2-1 Record hot May
• 5-2 30C or higher being recorded in May

UK weather outlook for Saturday and Sunday

Saturday will bring another dry and sunny day across England and Wales. Patchy cloud and a few of showers for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Sunday will be mainly dry with sunny spells however there will be more in the way of cloud around and a chance of showers developing which may be heavy.

Risk of showers & thunderstorms on Saturday night, warns Met Office

While a fresh five-day heatwave is set to hit Britian from this Saturday, the Met Office has warned high pressure could see outbreaks of heavy rain and thunderstorms in to Sunday morning.

It tweeted: “Thinking about the #weekend yet?

“High pressure will bring some warm spells of sunshine, but also the risk of some heavy showers or thunderstorms Saturday night into Sunday.”

South of England could see rain on Sunday and Monday

Friday and Saturday are set for stunning sunshine with just a few showers in the far north, but the south has been warned of rain on Sunday and Monday.

Brits can continue enjoying the recent mini-heatwave this weekend as the tropical temperatures are expected to drive crowds to the sea.

Beaches have been packed for the last few weeks and Brighton is forecast for 20C weather all weekend.

Friday to be largely dry and fine, says Met Office

Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon said: “Through the weekend, warmer air is being drawn in from the continent over southern areas of the UK, and especially in the southeast.

“While this will be responsible for some fine and dry weather on Saturday, it also brings with it the risk of some thundery showers on Saturday night and into Sunday morning in southern areas.

“Friday in the South will be a largely dry and fine day, admittedly with some breeze around and some early cloud in Western areas.

Met Office reveal details of Saturday’s weather

Stephen Dixon, a spokesperson for the Met Office, said: “As we move into Saturday there is some early patchy cloud in the west but largely a dry and fine day with temperatures increasing on Saturday for most, especially in the South East.

“Further north of Saturday and in the far north of Scotland, some lighter showers around on Saturday but gradually clearing as the day goes on.

“However, late on Saturday night and into Sunday morning overnight as some warm air is drawn up from the continent there’s a chance of some heavier showers and some thunderstorm activity overnight. 

“Early on Sunday that moves to the North East and behind it there’s some warm air coming in behind that but again temperatures could reach up to 25 degrees in the South East after that but it is largely dependent on how the cloud and rain develops over that Sunday and how things will go from there.

Short summary of this evening’s weather

The Met Office says the evening will be “largely dry across England and Wales with some late spells of sunshine breaking through”.

It added: “Scotland and Northern Ireland will be cloudy with outbreaks of rain and showers which will turn increasingly light and patchy overnight.

“Much of England and Wales will remain dry with clear spells.”

In pictures: Sunny lunch break for City of London workers

Following a damp and drizzly day on Wednesday, the sun has returned to London and the south east.

Below, city workers are seen relaxing in the sunshine at The Scoop on London’s riverside.

It comes as temperatures are forecast to rise over the coming days in the region to a scorching maximum of 26C.

City workers relaxing in the sunshine at the scoop on London riversideCredit: Alamy

This May could be the hottest in 100 years

Previously, May 6 recorded a scorching 23.6C in Favesham, Kent.

In fact, this month could be the hottest May in 100 years as sweltering weather is expected to reach our coasts..

The current record is 27.8C which was recorded in Camden, North London on May 16, 1925.

Friday to be largely dry and fine, says Met Office

Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon said: “Through the weekend, warmer air is being drawn in from the continent over southern areas of the UK, and especially in the southeast.

“While this will be responsible for some fine and dry weather on Saturday, it also brings with it the risk of some thundery showers on Saturday night and into Sunday morning in southern areas.

“Friday in the South will be a largely dry and fine day, admittedly with some breeze around and some early cloud in Western areas.