Met Office responds to reports of upcoming UK 'heatwave'

The Met Office has confirmed that a heatwave is not expected to hit the UK, but temperatures could still be higher than usual next week.

Reports of an extended period of hot weather at the end of April have been played down by the UK's national weather service.

Instead, temperatures are expected to remain around the average of 15C, with the potential to reach 5C higher in parts of the south.

A Met Office spokesperson told Yahoo News UK: "Looking at the long range outlook temperatures by the end of the month are likely to be near to or a little above average, and notably warmer in comparison to where they are now (significantly below).

"While there is a small chance temperatures could be around 5 C above average, at this time of year the average maximum temperature for southern UK is only around 15C, so still not reaching heatwave criteria."

The rest of this week will be mostly dry with sunny spells. However, The Met Office forecasts that temperatures will gradually trend upwards next week, with the chance of a warm to very warm spell in some southern and eastern parts.

Conditions will probably turn drier, cooler, and more settled from the west towards the end of the period.

The Met Office added that temperatures will likely be near average during the first two weeks of May, with some cooler interludes possible. The average temperatures will gradually rise by around 1C per week.

• When will the weather get warmer? Exact date revealed (Evening Standard)

Yahoo breaks down what the weather will be like for each region of the UK, according to the Met Office.

London and the South East

• Wednesday and Thursday

Tonight, any showers towards Kent will first dissipate to give a dry night with clear intervals and patchy cloud. It will feel cold with a chance of frost. The minimum temperature will be 3C. Sunny spells, light winds, and scattered showers are expected on Thursday, with showers largely dissipating overnight. It will feel cold with a patchy overnight frost. The maximum temperature will be 13C.

• Friday to Sunday

Starting dry and cloudy, however there is an increasing risk rain will arrive from the south through this period. Rain may be heavy at times, especially on Sunday.

South West

• Wednesday and Thursday

Staying dry for most overnight with any remaining showers easing. Plenty of lengthy clear spells, and light winds, allowing temperatures to drop with frost in places. Minimum temperature 3C. Another chilly start on Thursday, but staying dry for most with prolonged sunny intervals, although the odd shower still possible. Temperatures around average. Maximum temperature 15C.

• Friday and Sunday

Showers becoming more widespread through Friday before longer spells of rain arrive from the southwest on Saturday and Sunday. Temperatures generally around average, and turning windier over the weekend.

Midlands

• Wednesday and Thursday

In the East Midlands, showers are expected to dissipate overnight, with a chance of frost as winds fall light. The minimum temperature will be 3C, while the maximum temperature will be 11C on Thursday where we can expect sunny spells, light winds, and scattered showers.

In West Midlands it will be mostly dry overnight with occasional showers. Light winds and clear spells will cause temperatures to drop, leading to frost in some areas. Thursday will start off chilly, but it will remain dry with sunny intervals despite the possibility of a few clouds and showers. Temperatures will be around average, with a maximum of 14°C.

• Friday to Sunday

In the East Midlands starting dry and cloudy, however there is an increasing risk rain will arrive from the south through this period. Rain may be heavy at times, especially on Sunday.

In the West Midlands showers becoming more widespread through Friday and into Saturday, with longer spells of rain at times likely into Sunday. Temperatures slowly recovering to near average, and turning increasingly windy.

North East

• Wednesday and Thursday

Remaining dry with clear intervals, but with a risk of scattered showers moving across the region towards dawn. Feeling cold with a chance of frost as winds fall light. Minimum temperature 3C. Sunny spells, light winds and scattered showers expected Thursday, these may be wintry over the Cheviots and Pennines. Showers dissipating overnight. Feeling cold with an overnight frost. Maximum temperature 9C.

• Friday to Sunday

Dry but mostly cloudy conditions expected Friday, there is an increasing chance of becoming unsettled through the weekend with the risk of outbreaks of rain arriving by Saturday.

North West

• Wednesday and Thursday

Staying dry for most overnight with the odd shower in the south. Light winds and plenty of clear spells, allowing temperatures to drop with frost forming in some places. Minimum temperature 2C. Another chilly start on Thursday, but staying dry for most with lengthy sunny spells, although the odd shower still possible. Temperatures around average. Maximum temperature 13C.

• Friday to Sunday

Showers becoming more widespread through Friday and into Saturday, with longer spells of rain at times likely into Sunday. Temperatures slowly recovering to near average, and turning increasingly windy.

Scotland

• Wednesday and Thursday

Dry evening with late sunny then clear spells. However cloud and showers, occasionally heavy towards the coast, expected to spread south overnight, but western parts staying dry, and perhaps frosty. Minimum temperature 0C. A rather cloudier day for many than recently with, especially across Angus, Fife and eastern Stirlingshire, a few showers around. Mainly light winds. Maximum temperature 11C.

• Friday to Sunday

Rather cloudy through Friday and Saturday with, especially near the coast, mainly light showers. However Sunday looks cloudy with occasionally heavy rain and strengthening easterly winds, clearing to showers later.

Northern Ireland

• Wednesday and Thursday

A fine end to the day with some evening sunshine. It remains dry overnight with a touch of frost possible in places, although cloud is expected to increase towards dawn. Minimum temperature 0C. A bright and largely dry day for most with some sunny spells, although the cloud, especially in the south and west, may be thick enough for the odd shower. Maximum temperature 12C.

• Friday to Sunday

Rather cloudy through Friday and Saturday with occasional showers, perhaps heavy in southeast. Cloud and outbreaks of rain spread north overnight clearing on Sunday morning to sunny spells and showers.

Wales

• Wednesday and Thursday

Mostly dry this evening with some late sunshine in places and staying generally dry with clear spells overnight. Becoming cold with some frost forming in the countryside, especially inland. Scattered showers breaking out later but most places remaining dry. Minimum temperature 1C. Rather cold to begin the day with scattered showers, these perhaps heavy in the south. Turning much drier through the morning, leaving a bright afternoon. A cool breeze at times. Maximum temperature 14C.

• Friday to Sunday

Generally cloudy with scattered showers and brief brighter interludes. More general rain probably arriving later on Saturday, this perhaps persisting into Sunday too. Turning windy in places and feeling cool.