Good Morning Britain's Laura Tobin says temperatures in the UK are set to reach highs of 20C this weekend, just in time for the Easter bank holiday. While delivering her daily forecast on the ITV show this morning, the meteorologist said figures will be 'way above average' for the time of year - but warned there will be risk of Saharan dust.
"Weather-wise this week things are set to warm up", she told viewers, and although temperatures around this time of year tend to be between 11-14C, numbers are expected to be "way above average", which is "fantastic news" she says for anyone hoping for a summery Easter bank holiday - which you can watch in the video above.
However, the balmy forecast didn't come without a warning: "But another thing to look out for, and if you've washed your cars, this is bad news, more Saharan dust on the way, " she added. "That means there will be some beautiful sunsets and sunrises through the next few days, but we'll see some of that Saharan sand on the cars moving through south-eastern areas of England."
It comes after southern Europe was hit by an orange dust storm last week that largely affected the skies over Greece. The weather phenomenon happens when dust particles from arid regions, such as the Sahara, are blown over the Mediterranean by strong winds and spread across Europe.
For the week ahead, Laura said there will be showers at times but "it is set to warm up", with digits predicted to reach highs of 20C by Good Friday. Maximum temperatures are on course to fall between 18-19C on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, before climbing into the low 20's by Thursday and Friday.
On Monday there will be outbreaks of rain in western Scotland and Northern Ireland first thing this morning, she added, but "it is a mild start to the day. Other than some patchy rain and showers through south-west England, west Wales and Northern Ireland, it's looking to be a good day with plenty of sunshine and temperatures above average."
The balmy forecast comes as high pressure and warm winds from the south head towards Britain after a fairly chilly weekend. In Monday morning's weather forecast, Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said: “As we head into Easter week, many of us will be wanting some weather we can enjoy outside and it is going to be turning warmer. The bigger picture shows orange colours spreading across the UK, which is warmer air travelling up from the south.
He continued: "There are several weather fronts around thought which means it won't always be completely dry. Into the Easter week, there will be a mixture of wetter and drier periods, but feeling rather warm thanks to that air coming in from the south." The warm weather also comes with a warning for hay-fever sufferers with tree pollen levels set to soar over the coming days.
