After enduring weeks of rain and misery, Brits are set for weeks of glorious sunny weather with the mercury nudging 20C thanks to a high pressure ridge.
A warm spell lasting three weeks is set to begin this week and is likely to extend over most of the country, bringing fine conditions.
The recent grey skies and lower than normal temperatures for the time of year most of the country has experienced will be replaced by sunshine and temperatures of up to 20C.
And we can expect these welcome spring conditions from Friday, according to the Met Office, with Brits set to pack out beaches at the weekend.
A spokesman said: “A high-pressure ridge is most likely to extend across the UK, resulting in a good amount of fine and dry weather for most”.
“Temperatures most likely above average overall, although most likely closer to average in the southeast.
“Into June, high pressure is predicted to remain dominant, especially for northern areas, with cloud, rain and showers more likely to the south, although there is a level of uncertainty associated with this.
"An increased likelihood of above average temperatures for many.”
Discussing conditions from the end of May and into the first two weeks of June, the forecast says the south east could have to put up with a little rain however.
It rads: “High pressure is likely to continue to dominate UK weather during this period, though with the focus of the high gradually shifting north with time.
“These settled conditions are most likely to hold on in central and northern parts of the UK, while towards the south there is a higher risk of rain and showers, particularly towards the southeast.
“Temperatures are likely to be a little above average for most, although the far southeast could remain closer to average.”
It comes as a scorching African plume is set to sweep across Europe and the UK from June to September - with 35C heat expected.
The weather phenomenon, characterised by a mass of hot air originating from the Sahara desert, has the potential to bring multiple heatwaves.
While such a scenario may be unprecedented, experts agree it is not impossible, given recent warming climate trends.
Expert Alex Deakin said: "It's going to be a largely dry week across the country and slowly temperatures will be rising just a little bit as well.
"For the majority, high pressure bringing a largely dry week and temperatures just ticking up a little bit as well.
"It will go from below average to around or perhaps slightly above average temperature wise as we head towards the weekend."
