Britain set to bask in Indian summer

Britain will bask in an Indian summer this week with temperatures set to soar to as high as 28C, weather forecasters predicted.

High pressure currently over Europe is set to drift northwards bringing warm southerly winds and sunshine across most parts of the UK.

Weather experts at MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said temperatures would climb from Tuesday with highs of up to 24C expected in parts of south east England and Lincolnshire.

"At the moment, it looks like Friday and Saturday are going to be the warmest days of the week with temperatures locally getting up to as high as 28C in the London area," said forecaster Andy Ratcliffe.

"Most of the UK will be dry, warm and humid with plenty of sunshine all week.

"Temperatures of around 23C are expected in the south east tomorrow before increasing to 25C on Wednesday," he added.

Mr Ratcliffe said Thursday will be even hotter with the mercury peaking on Friday and Saturday

Met Office forecaster Helen Waite agreed that the week ahead was going to be "unseasonably warm"

She added: "The high pressure building over the next few days will bring clear skies and sunshine.

"Temperatures will start to rise on Tuesday and continue to do so through the rest of the week as warm air comes up from the south."

Ms Waite said north west Scotland and Northern Ireland would be the only areas of Britain to see unstable weather this week with some strong winds and showers. However temperatures are still expected to be slightly higher than average.

The mercury yesterday peaked at 23C in Gravesend, Kent, while today's readings are expected to be slightly lower at around 22C in London.

The mini heatwave compares to an average maximum temperature for September of 19.1C (66F) in south east England.

Experts said the high pressure will start to move away on Sunday, allowing cold northerly winds back in.

PA