UK hot weather: New maps turn yellow as Britain is poised for first 20C mini-heatwave

UK weather forecast: Rain clearing the east

Britons may be basking in a 20C mini heatwave within days after suffering weeks of rain, a weather expert has suggested.

Weather maps have turned from the chilly blues of recent weeks to yellow as the UK looks set for an early taste of summer on April 1 with up to 20C in parts of southern England, according to WX Charts.

Jim Dale, Senior Meteorologist at British Weather Services, told Express.co.uk: "That’s a long way off, but I’m suggesting the heater will be switched on during April, modestly and hesitantly at first, more robustly later."

In the run up to April, however, conditions won’t be as favourable - with the mercury dramatically dropping in days.

Mr Dale added: "[It will be] as mixed as ever. Wettest in the west with temperatures yo-yoing - frost potential next weekend."

This weather map shows maximum temperatures in the high teens across much of the UK on April 1 (Image: WX Charts)

This weather map shows much of the UK under a warm spell on April 1 (Image: WX Charts)

One weather map shows 20C in Greater London at 6pm on April 1, with 19C across the south and Midlands, according to WX Charts.

The same map shows maximum temperatures ranging from 18C-17C in south Wales, 13C-15C along the coast of East Anglia and 19C in Greater Manchester.

Northern England could see anywhere between 11C on the North East coast and 13C inland. Parts of Yorkshiree may reach 18C, with 17C in the Peak District, the map shows.

In Scotland maximum temperatures will range from 10C on the northern coast, 14C in Aberdeenshire, 13C around Edinburgh and 14C in Glasgow. Temperatures in Northern Ireland will vary between 13C to 10C, according to WX Charts.

This weather map shows temperatures falling by midday on April 2 (Image: WX Charts)

Met Office long range forecast

Monday, April 1 - Monday, April 15

Into April pressure is likely to be higher than average to the north of the UK, with low pressure more likely to the west or southwest.

This pattern tends to push the focus of unsettled weather further south than usual, with highest rainfall most likely to be in the south of the UK. Conversely, northern areas tend to be drier compared to normal.

Temperatures will probably be near average or slightly above overall, with any cooler interludes most likely in the north.