UK weather: Britain set to bake with unseasonably high temperatures thanks to tropical plume

Temperatures could reach 26C in the south east, 11 degrees hotter than national average

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A tropical plume blowing northward from Africa is set to bring unseasonably hot weather to Britain with isolated highs of 26C a possibility.

Temperatures could reach 22 in the south of the country on Friday, although it will be cooler on the east coast due to low clouds. Newcastle looks set for a comparatively chilly 14 degrees.

It will warm up going into the weekend with much of the country set for sunny spells as temperatures are set to be around 23-24C.

Some parts of the south east could even reach 26, forecasters predicted.

“Temperatures in June are usually around 17,” said Bonny Diamond, a Met Office spokesperson. “The weather this weekend will be generally dry with sunny spells.”

There are chances of showers in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the northeast throughout the weekend.

However, for most of the country it will be largely dry, warm and unseasonably pleasant.

“Warm sunshine will prevail in the northwest, though a few thundery downpours may develop in western Scotland and Northern Ireland later,” said the Met Office.

“It will be cloudier further south, but any early rain will soon clear. Northeastern coasts will be cooler.

“Saturday will stay mostly dry, bright and warm, though heavy thundery showers are likely in the northwest and in parts of Wales. Eastern coasts will stay cooler and cloudier.”