Brits will be able to bask in a balmy Bank Holiday weekend with temperatures set to be higher than Monaco in the south of France.
It has been a cold, if bright, start to the week and that will continue before warmer air moves in from the Atlantic.
For people heading out over the weekend it means that they will be able to enjoy temperatures in the high teens and possibly 20C in parts of the country. It is likely to be sunny but there will also be some showers in places.
Temperatures are starting to move up by Thursday as the Arctic winds disappear and into Friday it will be cloudy and fairly gloomy but the mercury could already rise to 20C.
Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern said: “If we do see some cloud breaks, temperatures will respond very well because we are seeing much more humid air across the UK, so 17C and 18C in the south but given any cloud breaks there is potential for 19C or 20C in the south east.
“Again colder towards the north but actually it is the far north of Scotland where we keep the very chilly air otherwise it is double figures for many.
“Then that milder air spreads across the whole of the UK as we start off the long weekend.”
There will be still some rain moving in from the west during the weekend but they are hitting the high pressure and shouldn’t have too much of an impact.
With temperatures possibly hitting 20C it will make the UK as hot as the south of France with Monaco only managing 17C over the weekend.
Mr McGivern continued: “The weekend sees warmer than average weather, I think, that means generally mid to high teens but the potential for 20C in one or two spots. Also there will be some sunny spells through Saturday, Sunday and Sunday but still some showers and where we do see those showers they could be quite potent at times.
"So certainly warmer weather on the way but a few overnight frosts to watch out for before we get there.”
There will be more chilly weather over the next 24 hours with temperatures maybe dropping below -5C.
BBC weather forecaster Stav Danaos said: "As we move through tonight it looks like many places will stay dry, a few wintry showers continuing across northern Scotland and the northern isles.
"We’ll see thicker cloud rolling in through southern and central and western areas bringing some spots of light rain so here less cold than it was the previous night but still another cold night to come for northern England and certainly across Scotland under the clear skies. Temperatures below -5C in a few spots.
"So another cold frosty start across northern Scotland for Wednesday, sunny spells, a few wintry showers continuing but elsewhere it less cold there will be more cloud around limited sunshine and a few spots of rain."
