The Met Office has given its verdict on a reported mini-heatwave that could bring warmer weather to the UK next week with temperatures expected to hit 25C in London for the first time this year.
According to Apple Weather, the capital could bask in plenty of sunshine in the afternoon of June 11, but rain could also be on the cards.
Apple's forecast says that on Sunday next week, the low in London will be 11C between 3am and 4am, and the high will be 25C between 3pm and 4pm. The BBC is also predicting a balmy 24C the same day.
However, the Met Office said the warm weather conditions cannot be defined as a heatwave - which is described as an extended period of hot weather, typically at least three days, with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold.
A spokesperson did not confirm whether temperatures will reach 25C in London but said that it is possible that the mercury will go up towards the mid-20 degrees in some areas.
The Met Office said: "The outlook for much of next week is for high pressure to remain in charge, with a good deal of dry, fine weather, with temperatures remaining in the low 20s for many, especially in the west.
"There's a chance of some isolated showers to break out in some spots of Northern Ireland and Scotland on Tuesday and Wednesday, but the vast majority will continue to see warm weather with not much in the way of rain.
"Much like this week, eastern coastal areas remain more likely to hold on to cloud the longest, so temperatures are unlikely to be as high towards the east for much of next week.
"Into next weekend, there's a chance of temperatures rising slightly in the south and west, possibly towards the mid 20s C in some areas, though it's not possible to put a specific figure on it with a big degree of confidence at this range.
"There's a large degree of uncertainty looking at the forecast further ahead for the rest of June, though the most likely scenario is for high pressure to lie further north, with lower pressure further south.
"This would see an increasing chance of showers or rain in the south, with northern areas likely to see more in the way of dry conditions. However, at this range, details will obviously become clearer with a shorter lead time."
The Met Office's long-range forecast from Tuesday, June 6 to Thursday, June 15, says the UK is likely to see a continuation of the recent dry weather.
Eastern and northern areas are likely to see more clouds than the west, especially in coastal areas exposed to onshore winds, the Met Office said.
The long-range forecast adds: "It will likely feel warm to rather warm across western areas, though cooler in the east when under cloud.
"There is a chance of isolated showers, mostly over high ground, in the early part of the period, with a small, but increasing, risk of rain or showers, perhaps thundery, over parts of southern and south-eastern England and Wales as the period progresses.
"Winds are likely to be light for most, though stronger in the south of England, and in coastal areas near the English Channel."
This weekend, Brits will be able to enjoy some more sunshine with warm weather expected on both Saturday and Sunday.
Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said: "The summer sunshine will be much more widely felt as we head through the end of the week and towards the weekend, as that cloud finally pushes its way back to the North Sea coast."
She added that by lunchtime on Friday, much of the UK will see blue skies, with plenty of warm and quite strong sunshine in the afternoon.
However, along the eastern coast, temperatures will still feel cooler and the cloud will remain for most of the day.
Western areas will be warmer, but parts of Wales will feel a little cooler than in recent days, Ms Shuttleworth said.
She added: "Through Friday evening, we'll see that north-easterly breeze strike in, cloud once again, but it's not going to be as much as we've seen recently.
"For the likes of East Anglia, Lincolnshire, and into north-eastern areas of England we'll continue to see that cloud pushing in - but many other areas are going to stay clear and dry."
The weekend will start on a chilly note for most of the country, with the mercury dropping down to single figures, the forecaster said.
Despite a colder start, however, sunshine is expected through Saturday and Sunday afternoons, with warmer weather on the cards for most of the country, except for the north and Scotland where temperatures are remaining in the low teens.
Ms Shuttleworth said: "For many of us, temperatures will climb up to around average, in the high teens or low 20s through Saturday."
But as temperatures start to rise, health experts have warned of the risk of skin cancer as over 16,700 new melanoma cases are recorded every year in the UK, 86 per cent of which are preventable.
Jana Abelovska, Superintendent Pharmacist at Click Pharmacy, said: "One of the most common skin conditions experienced during the summer months is sunburn. This is entirely preventable by simply wearing appropriate SPF sun protection, but 23 per cent of Brits admit to not wearing sunscreen when on holiday – either in the UK or abroad.
"Those looking to enjoy the sunshine should always ensure they use an appropriate-strength sunscreen whenever they’re outdoors – even if the weather is cloudy.
"It's also important to make sure your sunscreen is still in-date if you're using an older one. Sunscreen has a shelf-life of 3 years if it's stored properly, but it's often a good idea to just purchase a new one if you're unsure."
UK 5 day weather forecast
Today:
Early cloud soon breaking and clearing more readily than previous days. Warmest in the west, with some southern and eastern coastal areas cooler thanks to the north-easterly breeze.
Tonight:
Dry with mostly clear skies overnight. Fragmented cloud moving westwards across parts of England and Scotland. Chilly with a localised grass frost possible in the north.
Saturday:
Any early morning mist and low cloud soon clearing with most places have a dry day with long sunny spells. Feeling warm again.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
High pressure will dominate giving mainly fine and settled weather. Warm sunshine for many, although low cloud persisting across parts of the north and east. Breezy in the south.
