UK hot weather: Exact date 243-mile heat bomb explodes over Britain - new maps

Britain has a fortnight of warmer weather on the cards, with temperatures due to peak at between 20C and 22C, a weather expert has predicted.

Weather maps show a 243-mile heat bomb exploding over the country with areas covering ranging from Manchester to Portsmouth on May 19. According to the maps from WXCharts and Netweather.tv, warmer temperatures are set to dominate the parts of the country over the next two weeks.

Current maps show that areas from the north to the southern coast will witness a swing in temperatures with the mercury rising to 20C at around 3pm on May 19 (Sunday). The wall of heat will also strike other areas such as Birmingham, London, Cardiff, and Newcastle could also see higher temperatures.

Jim Dale, a senior meteorologist at British Weather Services, said the sizzling mercury is something to be enjoyed, but not taken for granted. This is because there is still some uncertainty over whether weather patterns will change.

He told Express.co.uk: “There is a hint of higher temperatures during that period but a lot can change over time. Looking at the temperatures for May 19, we can see high pressure ranging from 21-22C in Manchester.

“For the moment, there is a fair amount of reasonable, pleasant weather to come in the next two weeks.

“There will be some rain and showers at times but not as much as we have seen recently. There is a little bit of switch change going on and we will have to wait and see what the next stage is.”

The Met Office’s long-range forecast between May 19 and June 2 states: “During the longer range outlook period, there is a greater chance of unsettled weather returning across the UK.

“This means that spells of wet weather are likely for most, with no particular location more prone than anywhere else.

“The chances of above or below average temperatures are fairly balanced, but at this time of year this means that some warm days are likely.”

Met Office's five-day forecast

This Evening and Tonight:

Staying rather cloudy across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northwest England with patchy rain, which will be heavy at times across western Scotland. Turning chilly elsewhere with clear spells and mist or fog patches, but some showers arriving into the southwest.

Sunday:

Often rather cloudy in the north with some showery rain, heaviest across Scotland. Outbreaks of rain also affecting parts of southwest England and Wales. Warm sunshine and isolated showers elsewhere.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:

Warm sunshine on Bank Holiday Monday, though with heavy showers too. Showers fewer in number and less heavy on Tuesday. Mostly fine and warm midweek, though some rain far northwest.