UK weather forecast: Britain to bask in sunshine and blue skies as temperatures rise over Easter break

‘Anyone hoping for some fine weather – there will be plenty of it around,’ says Met Office

Britain set to bask in sunshine during the first weekend of the Easter holidays, forecasters have predicted.

Met Office meteorologists have also made an optimistic assessment of the week ahead, predicting temperatures will climb into the mid to high teens across much of the country.

Although much of England and Wales has experienced heavy rain showers at the start of the two-week school break, the outlook is expected to improve on Thursday.

Western areas will see highs of 11C or 12C, despite a chilly wind from the North Sea keeping temperatures on the east coast at 8C or 9C.

The dry and mild spring conditions are expected to hold over Friday, Saturday and Sunday, before the North Sea wind finally eases up and gives way to even warmer weather next week.

“There will be plenty more sunshine throughout the UK on Saturday – a lovely day for most people,” said Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern. “Most places will be dry and bright with the best of the sunshine in the west.”

While the forecaster said it was too early to tell whether Easter weekend – 19 April to 22 April – would stay both warm and dry, the next 10 days are expected to see temperatures rise.

“Anyone hoping for some fine weather – there will be plenty of it around,” said Mr McGivern. “Some warm sunshine to enjoy during the next five days especially.”

He added: “Temperatures will slowly start to rise and we’ll begin to lose those overnight frosts. By day temperatures will reach the mid to high teens through south-east England, parts of Wales and north-west Britain where there will be plenty of sunshine.”

Despite the largely fine outlook, the south-east and East Anglia might still see some outbreaks of rain this weekend. In a few places, it could even mean snow.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if some of these showers are of the white stuff, by which I mean small hail, some sleet, perhaps even a few snowflakes,” said Mr McGivern. “But they will be highly isolated and most places will be dry and bright.”