Met Office daily weather: Temperatures rising as we head into the weekend

A band of low cloud and patchy light rain or drizzle will move southeastwards across Northern Ireland and western Scotland during the day, gradually extending into Wales, northern England and parts of the southwest. Behind this, brighter conditions will develop with sunny spells and a scattering of showers, particularly in the northwest.

Central, southern and eastern England will remain largely dry throughout the day, with warm sunny spells developing. In these areas, temperatures will rise into the mid-20s Celsius, with some locations reaching 27 to 28°C, making it feel locally very warm.

Into the evening and overnight, the cloud and patchy rain will continue to edge south-eastwards across Wales and England, though rainfall amounts will generally be small, especially away from western upslopes. Clear spells will develop across Scotland and Northern Ireland, with a few scattered showers continuing in the northwest.

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Outlook for Saturday

Saturday will bring a mix of sunshine and showers across the UK. Most areas will see some bright or sunny spells, though it will be cloudier and breezier in the northwest, where occasional showers are expected ahead of a more persistent band of rain arriving later in the day.

Elsewhere, a good deal of dry weather is expected, particularly through the morning and early afternoon. However, isolated showers may develop, mainly affecting parts of the east and southeast. Into the evening, there is the potential for a more organised spell of rain to form over eastern and southeastern areas.

Temperatures on Saturday will generally be near average for the time of year. It will feel warm in sunnier spots, though more subdued where cloud and rain persist.

Met Office presenter and meteorologist, Alex Burkill, said: “On Friday, across many parts of England and Wales, a dry picture with some clear skies, but as a result, we could see a few pockets of mist and fog developing. None of these looks particularly thick. Temperatures for many of us holding up in the mid-teens. A few places getting close to single digits perhaps in a few spots.

“Then as we go through the day, a bright sunny picture across much of England and Wales. Any mist and fog, that will quickly burn away. And for particular parts of the east-southeast, a much sunnier, drier picture than we're seeing today. Albeit there could be a couple of showery bursts developing by the time that we get to the afternoon. Further north and west, that front will gradually make its way south-eastwards, but it's not particularly intense and the rain's breaking up as it goes.

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“Temperatures for many on Friday are going to be a few degrees higher than today. Perhaps most noticeable across parts of the east of England because of the fact that there'll be more sunshine around as well. But we're looking at highs of around 26, 27, possibly 28°C. So, feeling relatively hot for some of us if you get any of the decent sunshine. Even further north, most places will be getting into the low 20s.

“Then, as we go into the weekend, and it's a bit of a mixed picture. I think we will see some further wet weather towards the northwest. And there's the potential that we could see some rain, which could be heavy across parts of the southeast, but some question marks as to exactly how much rain we see across southeastern parts in particular.

“Elsewhere, a few showers are possible, and you can't rule out a bit of thunder mixed in with these. But there should also be some bright and sunny breaks for most of us. And with temperatures near normal, albeit a degree or so, or so down compared to Friday, it's going to feel pretty warm for most.”

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