Met Office weather forecasters say temperatures could reach 24C on Friday as advanced weather modelling maps show 25 counties are set for sizzling conditions
14:10, 27 Apr 2026Updated 08:06, 28 Apr 2026
UK weather map forecasts temperatures into the 20s
The Met Office says temperatures could rise as high as 24C this week, with people across the country set to experience some balmy conditions.
The Met Office released a forecast this afternoon stating temperatures could reach 23C on Thursday and 24C on Friday in southern areas. In northern areas, temperatures could reach 20C on Thursday and 23C on Friday.
The national weather agency said conditions will be largely dry on Wednesday and Thursday with warm sunny spells, but breezy in the south. “There’s an increasing chance of showers moving in from the west on Friday,” it added.
Temperature anomaly maps show the UK covered in areas of deep red on Friday. This indicates where the mercury will rise well above the average for this time of year.

The GFS weather model predicts highs of 22C on Friday(Image: WXCharts)
READ MORE: UK weather maps reveal 24C heat blast as 58 counties face 3-day scorcher – listREAD MORE: UK weather maps show May snow in 27 cities as far south as London – full list
The GFS weather model currently predicts highs of 22C on Friday, with the warmest temperatures coming in the south-east of England, in and around London. The maps show as many as 25 counties could see temperatures reach 20C or above.
Counties facing 20C or above on FridayNorthumberlandDurhamLancashireCheshireYorkshireLeicestershireDerbyshireNottinghamshireLincolnshireStaffordshireShropshireWorcestershireWarwickshireNorthamptonshireCambridgeshireNorfolkEssexMiddlesexKentSurreyBedfordshireBuckinghamshireBerkshireOxfordshireWiltshire
BBC‘s forecasters also say sunshine is on the way this week, although some showers are on the cards on Friday as well. The BBC forecast states: “Tonight, the south-east will start with showery rain but should turn drier later. The rest of central and eastern areas will be cloudy with a few spots of light rain. Dry with clear spells elsewhere.
“Tomorrow will start generally cloudy with a few light showers in the east and the south. In the afternoon, it will turn dry with brightening skies. A sunnier day in the northwest. Breezy in the south.
“Wednesday will be largely dry with sunny spells, with jus the odd shower in the far south-west of England. A windy day in the south. Thursday will remain dry and sunny for most, and it will be breezy across much of the UK.
“A few showers possible in the far south-west. Friday looks to turn more unsettled with periods of sunshine, areas of cloud and some showers.”