Temperatures could reach a high of 24C this bank holiday weekend making it the hottest of the year so far with dry and sunny weather for many.
High pressure, which has brought fine conditions across the UK over the last few days, is forecast to continue through the weekend and into next week.
The highest temperature of 2023 was recorded in Cardiff on Monday when it hit 23.4C.
UK weather: The latest Sky News forecast
Joanna Robinson, a Sky News weather producer, said highs of 24C were possible this weekend but the UK doesn’t always see temperatures of 25C before June.
She said: “Temperatures should get close to 24C this weekend somewhere across southeast Wales and the West Country, but the UK still hasn’t seen 25C this year.
“If we don’t reach that before the end of May, that will be the ninth time since 1961 that the UK has not observed 25C in the first five months of the year.
“The last time that happened was a decade ago.
“Records show the latest the UK reached 25C was 13 July, back in 1972, which was a weak La Nina year.”
However, Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said there were encouraging “hints of summer”.
As well as the possible highs of 24C in southeast Wales and around the Bristol Channel on Saturday and Sunday, other parts of the UK could see temperatures reaching the high teens and early 20s.
Mr Partidge said: “We’re slowly getting there.
“For a bank holiday weekend it’s pretty rare to be that dry and sunny, so we’re not doing too bad.”
The dry and bright weather is likely to continue for most with little rain expected throughout next week.
Met Office chief forecaster Paul Gundersen said: “The jet stream sitting to the north of the UK is holding unsettled weather systems at bay and allowing high pressure to dominate bringing fine weather to the vast majority of the UK.
“The current position of the high-pressure means we will see a westerly air flow over the UK, a cooler direction than if air was being brought up from the south, and areas such as Spain or Africa.
“Therefore, we are not likely to reach heatwave conditions, but temperatures will still be warm reaching the low 20s for many, particularly in the South West and southern Wales.”
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Looking ahead, Met Office deputy chief forecaster Steven Keates, said: “Next week is half term week for much of the country and there is a strong signal the high pressure will continue to dominate our weather.
“Its exact position over the UK will dictate the temperature, wind direction and weather patterns, however, indications are that the dry, bright weather is likely to continue for most with little in the way of rain throughout next week.”
Meanwhile, travel groups are warning of a busy time on the roads for the long weekend and half term break.
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “We fully expect families to make the most of the largely fine weather over the coming days which is why we’re forecasting the busiest late May bank holiday since before the pandemic.
“Into next week and half term for many parts of the UK, day trips will also be a big feature with popular routes to the coasts and countryside becoming busy.
“Getting away early in the morning or delaying trips until the evening are the best way to avoid the inevitable delays.”
