Greater Manchester looks set for a weekend full of sunshine - and a heatwave is predicted to hit the UK later this year.
Across the north west, the Met Office saysemperatures will reach up to 19C as Eurovision fans head out in force to enjoy the show tonight. "Any cloud in the east breaking up through the early morning to leave plenty of prolonged sunshine during the afternoon," the weather forecaster has said.
"Light winds, and temperatures in the high teens. Maximum temperature 19 °C."
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In Manchester itself, the Met Office has promised 'dry with long sunny spells' today. Tonight, the weather is expected to be 'staying clear through the evening with light winds, allowing some low cloud to push into the far east and some isolated mist or fog patches to develop. Minimum temperature 6 °C'.
Sunday will see a 'largely dry start with hazy sunny spells, some isolated showers will develop ahead of more persistent rain arriving in the early evening'. Winds strengthening during the evening, says the Met Office, with a maximum temperature of 18C through the day.
The sunny forecast comes as an African plume could spark a sweltering 35C UK heatwave - expected by forecasters to appear July. Weather forecasters have spoken out over the weather as the temperatures continue in the teens, but could rise in the coming weeks.
James Madden, from ExactaWeather, said: "We could still see maximum temperatures reaching in the mid to high 20s quite widely at the peak of this." Mr Madden says "confidence has only increased" over heatwaves, adding: "A number of African plumes are also likely from later in August and into September, and very early indications and some strong indicators are for a warm to hot September this year.
"The peak of these heat surges in June and July could see maximum temperatures ranging in the low to mid 30s, and the late summer/August heatwave could sign off summer 2023 with temperatures ranging a notch or two higher than this.”
James Madden, from ExactaWeather, said: "We could still see maximum temperatures reaching in the mid to high 20s quite widely at the peak of this." Mr Madden says "confidence has only increased" over heatwaves, adding: "A number of African plumes are also likely from later in August and into September, and very early indications and some strong indicators are for a warm to hot September this year.
"The peak of these heat surges in June and July could see maximum temperatures ranging in the low to mid 30s, and the late summer/August heatwave could sign off summer 2023 with temperatures ranging a notch or two higher than this.”
The reports come after it was confirmed 2022 was the warmest in 139 years, which is what the Met Office uses as its official record. It was also the warmest on record in the 364-year Central England temperature series from 1659, the world’s longest instrumental record of temperature.
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