A VERY GOOD FRIDAY
UK Easter weather forecast: Brits to bake in 22C TODAY on Good Friday as Saharan plume brings sunny skies
BRITS are set to bake in 22C weather TODAY as a Saharan plume brings sunny skies on Good Friday.
Forecasters say the mercury will rocket this weekend, with blue skies and warm blasts expected across the country.
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The good weather comes courtesy of a plume of balmy air straight from the Sahara.
But as well as plenty of spring sunshine, the plume also caused a bizarre meteorological phenomenon.
Skies turned red as desert sand was swept into the atmosphere. People living in the East and South East may have spotted tell-tale orange sediment on their cars and windows.
But the Met Office said that the best of the weather will hit on Good Friday - ahead of the Easter weekend.
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They said that southerly airflow will bring the mild temperatures this weekend, with the mercury peaking at 22C in the south east.
The forecasters added: "On Saturday we will see a mixture of clear and sunny spells with cloudier areas and some showers.
"Those showers will be most likely in central and western areas early in the day but could develop elsewhere at times.
"A few mist and fog patches inland at first and more extensive areas of low cloud and fog around some coasts will suppress temperatures a bit in those places, particularly in the east.
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"Elsewhere it will feel warm, especially in any sunshine, but perhaps slightly cooler than Friday."
Annie Shuttleworth, a Met Office meterologist, says the East of England will see the best of the weather in the days to come.
“I think in the main for the bank holiday weekend, we’ll see temperatures quite widely above average across the UK," she said.
"Hopefully they could be very warm in the south-east in particular."
Although it'll be hotter than it usually is at this time of year, Ms Shuttleworth says temperatures will be "nowhere near heatwave criteria".
"However, it'll definitely be warmer than the week we've just had and last week," she said.
The highest temperatures seen so far this year hit 20.8C.
But it's likely to be a little under 2C warmer than that this long weekend.
"We'll see temperatures generally come up through the week," Ms Shuttleworth said.
A VERY GOOD FRIDAY
"From Thursday onwards, temperatures could reach 20C, 21C, quite possibly 22C."
Neil Armstrong, Chief Meteorologist, said: “Most people will see some spells of decent bank holiday weather this weekend, and it will feel warm in places, particularly for the first half of the Easter break.
“However, a low-pressure system will affect the northwest of the UK later Sunday, bringing unsettled weather to the north with some strong winds and rain in the northwest, which could impact driving conditions for some, but further south it will be drier, especially in the southeast.
“There will be varying amounts of cloud, but temperatures are widely likely to be above average for the time of year, although low cloud might keep temperatures lower in coastal areas.
“However, where the sun comes out people can expect some very pleasant spring conditions.”
Jim Dale, meteorologist for British Weather Services, said: "The trend is for temperatures to rise.
"If things play out, we could be looking at 20C or 21C in the south over Easter."
Bookmakers are expecting a scorcher too, with Ladbrokes slashing its odds to 5/2 for it being the hottest Easter on record.
Spokesman Alex Apati said: "It looks as though a record-breaking hot Easter could now be on the cards if the latest odds are anything to go by."
Hay fever sufferers though have been warned to take care as the pollen count is set to soar.
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Airborne allergens expert Max Wiseberg said: "The start of the tree pollen season has been slow, with the poor weather so far most of this spring.
"But it looks as if the season could start in earnest with high pollen counts forecast across the South and East of England on Monday."
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