Easter Bank Holiday weather forecast LIVE: London to be HOTTER than Nice as Met Office predicts 21C Good Friday scorcher

BRITS are in for an absolute scorcher tomorrow with Good Friday set to see blistering temperatures of 21C hit London.

The weather has been hotting up since Wednesday and the long weekend will bring the hottest day of the year so far.

Temperatures this weekend will beat the previous weather record of 20.8C (69.4F) on 23 March.

Weather expert Annie Shuttleworth said: “If people are travelling for sunshine, then further eastern areas are more likely to see that brighter weather.”

She added: “I think in the main for the bank holiday weekend, we’ll see temperatures quite widely above average across the UK and hopefully they could be very warm in the south-east in particular.

“Warmer than average certainly, but nowhere near heatwave criteria. It will definitely be warmer than the week we’ve just had and last week.”

Read our UK weather blog below for the latest forecasts and updates.

  • The Sun

    In pictures: Londoners enjoy a spring time stroll amongst the blossom

    As temperatures rise, Londoners make the most of the sun in Greenwich Park.

    The sun is officially out ahead of the Easter bank holiday, and temperatures are currently resting at a warm 19C in London and the south east today.

    The blooming blossom and blue skies today lift the spirits as people take a lovely stroll through an avenue of trees at Greenwich Park today
  • The Sun

    Stormy washout to hit after glorious Easter weekend

    This Easter bank holiday is expected to be fantastic with warm weather and sun

    Following the balmy highs of 21C this Easter bank holiday weekend, the rest of the week next week, is expected to be a total wash out.

    Widespread downpours, and chilly breezes are thought to set in on Tuesday, just as the bank holiday ends and the working week restarts.

  • Louis Allwood

    London forecast for today

    Areas of mist, fog and low cloud clearing through the morning to leave a largely dry day with bright or sunny spells.

    Feeling warm with light winds with maximum temperatures of 20 °C.

  • Louis Allwood

    'Some very pleasant spring conditions'

    Neil Armstrong, Chief Meteorologist, said: “Most people will see some spells of decent bank holiday weather this weekend, and it will feel warm in places, particularly for the first half of the Easter break. 

    “However, a low-pressure system will affect the northwest of the UK later Sunday, bringing unsettled weather to the north with some strong winds and rain in the northwest, which could impact driving conditions for some, but further south it will be drier, especially in the southeast.  

    “There will be varying amounts of cloud, but temperatures are widely likely to be above average for the time of year, although low cloud might keep temperatures lower in coastal areas. 

    “However, where the sun comes out people can expect some very pleasant spring conditions.” 

  • Louis Allwood

    Best of the weather to come tomorrow

    The Met Office said that the best of the weather will hit on Good Friday – ahead of the Easter weekend.

    They said that southerly airflow will bring the mild temperatures this weekend, with the mercury peaking at 22C in the south east.

    The forecasters added: "On Saturday we will see a mixture of clear and sunny spells with cloudier areas and some showers.

    "Those showers will be most likely in central and western areas early in the day but could develop elsewhere at times.

    "A few mist and fog patches inland at first and more extensive areas of low cloud and fog around some coasts will suppress temperatures a bit in those places, particularly in the east.

    "Elsewhere it will feel warm, especially in any sunshine, but perhaps slightly cooler than Friday."

  • Louis Allwood

    Temperatures on the rise

    Plenty of fine, dry and warm weather for many.

    Some coasts probably cloudier and cooler, and there will be some patchy rain or showers in places.

    Overall, temperatures will be on the rise with areas reaching 20C.

  • Louis Allwood

    Hayfever driving warning

    Motoring experts have warned that driving with hayfever symptoms could be classed as a "failure to have proper control of the vehicle and a full view of the road", which is punishable by a £1,000 in the Highway Code.

    Craig Forbes, motoring expert at Peter Vardy, says: "Drivers must take responsibility for assessing their own fitness to drive when experiencing symptoms.

    “There are ways to minimise symptoms of hay fever during spring, but if your eyes are extremely watery and you feel unwell, your driving could be impaired and you may wish to consider alternative travel in order to avoid a fine."

    Craig’s warning comes as the UK is set for a pollen bomb this Easter weekend. As temperatures are creeping up, the Met Office warned of “very high” levels of spores for most of England going into the bank holiday.

  • Louis Allwood

    Hay fever warning

    Hay fever sufferers though have been warned to take care as the pollen count is set to soar.

    Airborne allergens expert Max Wiseberg said: "The start of the tree pollen season has been slow, with the poor weather so far most of this spring.

    "But it looks as if the season could start in earnest with high pollen counts forecast across the South and East of England on Monday."

  • Louis Allwood

    Odds slashed

    Bookmakers are expecting a scorcher too, with Ladbrokes slashing its odds to 5/2 for it being the hottest Easter on record.

    Spokesman Alex Apati said: "It looks as though a record-breaking hot Easter could now be on the cards if the latest odds are anything to go by."

  • Louis Allwood

    Could the highest temperature record be broken for the year?

    The highest temperatures seen so far this year hit 20.8C.

    But it's likely to be a little under 2C warmer than that this long weekend.

    "We'll see temperatures generally come up through the week," Ms Annie Shuttleworth said.

    "From Thursday onwards, temperatures could reach 20C, 21C, quite possibly 22C."

  • Louis Allwood

    East of England will see the best weather

    Annie Shuttleworth, a Met Office meterologist, says the East of England will see the best of the weather in the days to come.

    “I think in the main for the bank holiday weekend, we’ll see temperatures quite widely above average across the UK," she said.

    "Hopefully they could be very warm in the south-east in particular."

    Although it'll be hotter than it usually is at this time of year, Ms Shuttleworth says temperatures will be "nowhere near heatwave criteria".

    "However, it'll definitely be warmer than the week we've just had and last week," she said.

  • Louis Allwood

    Easter scorcher to begin today

    An Easter scorcher will begin today – with the hottest day of the year so far expected this weekend.

    Forecasters say the mercury could rocket as high as 22C, with sunny skies expected across the country.

    The good weather comes courtesy of a plume of balmy air straight from the Sahara.

    But as well as plenty of spring sunshine, the plume also caused a bizarre meteorological phenomenon.

    Skies turned red as desert sand was swept into the atmosphere. 

  • Louis Allwood

    Hay fever symptoms to watch for 

    The hay fever season is starting when Covid cases are still high, with many of their symptoms overlapping.

    It may leave you worrying you are sick with the virus and considering staying locked up indoors.

    The NHS says the main symptoms of hay fever are:

    • Sneezing and coughing
    • A runny or blocked nose
    • Itchy, red or watery eyes
    • Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
    • Loss of smell
    • Pain around your temples and forehead
    • Headache
    • Earache
    • Feeling tired

    If you have asthma, you might also:

    • Have a tight feeling in your chest
    • Be short of breath
    • Wheeze and cough

    Cloudy Easter weekend for those in Edinburgh

    Mostly cloudy on Friday but feeling warm in any afternoon sunshine.

    Cloudy again on Saturday and often dull with a few spots of rain but will remain dry Sunday with bright spells.

    Easter weekend set for pollen bomb

    BRITS are set for a pollen bomb this Easter weekend as the temperature creeps up.

    The Met Office warns of “very high” levels of spores for most of England going into the bank holiday weekend.

    It will aggravate symptoms for some of the 10 million Brits with hay fever, with one in five people estimated to have the condition.

    From Wednesday, all regions of England will have very high pollen counts, other than the North East which will have medium.

    The picture will stay the same all the way through until Saturday, the Met Office says, with predictions for Sunday not out yet.

    • Louis Allwood

      Rain to linger

      Those in the far northeast of Scotland will need to get their umbrellas back out as rain will linger this afternoon.

      Elsewhere there will be a mixture of cloud and sunshine, but scattering showers will develop.

      But be warned that these showers may turn heavy and thundery, especially in the south.

    • Joseph Gamp

      Met Office map shows high temperatures for Thursday

      It looks like another fine and warm day in the UK tomorrow – perfect for those breaking for the Bank Holiday already.

      It tweeted: "If you are starting the #Easter break early or you just have outdoor plans for Thursday then you may want to know what the weather is doing.

      "Here is the #4cast for Thursday."

    • Joseph Gamp

      Scotland and Northern Ireland each recorded their sunniest March on record

      Scotland and Northern Ireland each recorded their sunniest March on record (records back to 1919), according to provisional Met Office statistics.

      The UK had its sunniest March since 1929 and its second sunniest overall (records dating back to 1919),as high pressure and clear skies reigned over the UK for much of the month, bringing an average of 166.1 hours of sunshine.

      Northern Ireland had a massive 90% more sunshine than its long-term average for the month, with a total of 192.5 hours of sunshine in the month. Scotland was similarly sunny, with 64% more sunshine hours than average, with a total of 160.1 hours.

      That sunny and clear picture was replicated across much of the UK. England had its second sunniest March with 168.1 hours and Wales its fifth sunniest with 157.9 hours.

    • Joseph Gamp

      Hay fever symptoms to watch for 

      The hay fever season is starting when Covid cases are still high, with many of their symptoms overlapping.

      It may leave you worrying you are sick with the virus and considering staying locked up indoors.

      The NHS says the main symptoms of hay fever are:

      • Sneezing and coughing
      • A runny or blocked nose
      • Itchy, red or watery eyes
      • Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
      • Loss of smell
      • Pain around your temples and forehead
      • Headache
      • Earache
      • Feeling tired

      If you have asthma, you might also:

      • Have a tight feeling in your chest
      • Be short of breath
      • Wheeze and cough

      Weather outlook for Friday to Sunday

      It's shaping up to be a pleasant Bank Holiday weekend.

      The Met Office's short summary for the weekend says: "Many places dry with warm spells of sunshine.

      "Rain or showers are possible at times, mainly in central and western areas."

      A fine Easter weekend for most says Met Office

      The Met Office's chief meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: “Most people will see some spells of decent bank holiday weather this weekend, and it will feel warm in places, particularly for the first half of the Easter break. 

      “However, a low-pressure system will affect the northwest of the UK later Sunday, bringing unsettled weather to the north with some strong winds and rain in the northwest, which could impact driving conditions for some, but further south it will be drier, especially in the southeast.  

      “There will be varying amounts of cloud, but temperatures are widely likely to be above average for the time of year, although low cloud might keep temperatures lower in coastal areas. 

      “However, where the sun comes out people can expect some very pleasant spring conditions.” 

      • Joseph Gamp

        In pictures: Cyclist riding during sunset in Richmond Park, London

        The stunning picture below shows a cyclist making his way through Richmond Park earlier this morning during sunrise.

        Easter weekend is set to be warm with temperatures expected to reach 20C. 

      • Joseph Gamp

        Dry evening for many areas this evening

        The Met Office tweeted: "Daytime showers will gradually fade away this evening leaving many areas dry.

        "Low cloud, mist and fog however will begin to move in southwestern parts."

      • Joseph Gamp

        Easter weekend set for pollen bomb

        BRITS are set for a pollen bomb this Easter weekend as the temperature creeps up.

        The Met Office warns of “very high” levels of spores for most of England going into the bank holiday weekend.

        It will aggravate symptoms for some of the 10 million Brits with hay fever, with one in five people estimated to have the condition.

        From Wednesday, all regions of England will have very high pollen counts, other than the North East which will have medium.

        The picture will stay the same all the way through until Saturday, the Met Office says, with predictions for Sunday not out yet.

      • Louis Allwood

        Manchester evening forecast

        Mostly dry with lengthy clear periods this evening, but some low cloud, mist and fog will form as the night goes on.

        Perhaps some light drizzle over the highest ground later as well.

        A mild night and staying frost free with minimum temperatures of 6 °C.

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