UK temperatures set to soar to 20C this week

The weather needs to make its mind up

As much of the UK deals with chilly temperatures and heavy rain, you may be debating whether its time to whack the heating on, get your woolies out and brace for the winter months.

Well, you should probably hold your horses on that, because in just a couple of days, parts of Britain are forecast to enjoy some mid-autumn warmth.

Parts of the country could see a 10C rise in temperatures, with the mercury set to hit 22C in areas such as the south-east and East Anglia on Wednesday (October 16), the BBC reports.

However, before you start digging out the shorts and sun block, these temperatures could be accompanied by a fair amount of rain as well.

Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: “Temperatures are going to rise gradually, peaking probably on Wednesday in eastern areas, and we might well see in some spots 20C, and 22C is not out of question, probably in eastern England – so East Anglia down towards the south east.

“It’s possible we could exceed 20C in London but the peak temperatures might well be up towards the home counties and up to Cambridgeshire.”

However, BBC Weather’s Louise Lear warned Wednesday could see strong winds and “very heavy rain” across the west.

It’s a more promising outlook for the south east and East Anglia though, which could “escape the rain during the day and see some sunshine,” she added.

Thursday (October 17) is also forecast to be dry with some sunny spells and a few scattered showers in the west.

The rest of the country is expected to see strong winds and a band of heavy rain pushing eastwards on Friday.

The Met Office forecast for Wednesday to Friday reads: “Unsettled on Wednesday with some heavy rain at times. Winds slowly easing. Drier and brighter on Thursday. Turning wet and windy from the west on Friday. Milder than of late.”

Then, beyond Friday, unsettled weather is expected to continue into the weekend and next week when “all regions are likely to have some rain at times, which could be heavy.”

The forecast continues: “However, most of the rain, showers and strong winds are likely to be in the northwest with southeastern areas more often dry and bright. Temperatures will be above average and probably feeling warm in the brighter spells in southern areas.

“Later in October, there is a chance of more settled conditions developing, particularly in southern and eastern areas but with temperatures falling closer to average and some overnight frost and fog. Given the time of year, fog could be slow to clear.”