The UK could be heading for a 30C end to May, a meteorologist has said, as the country finally looks set to shed a dismal few months of spring weather.
Making predictions for the rest of the month, forecaster James Madden from Exacta Weather said: "Both rainfall amounts and temperatures are likely to be a little above average, but some large spatial differences are likely.
"Some of the main third-party computer models are now becoming more popular in recognition of the high pressure that rises across our shores throughout next week.
"This is now likely to bring at least another several days of warm to hot conditions and could initially see temperatures rising into the mid to high 20s quite widely.
Swathes of the country are set for balmy weather by as soon as this weekend
Met Office/PA
"And 30C or more can't be entirely ruled out in the hottest spots and for the first time this year.
"Additionally, there are also some very extreme runs for heat coming through for this final third of this month and into early June.
"This particular period and weather scenario for a heatwave is something we have been covering for these exact dates over the past several months in our spring forecast and over the past several weeks in our summer forecast for around early June.
"We should be in full recognition of these high pressure rises across the UK and Ireland with some good cross-model agreement on this, which looks to be perfectly primed for arrival during next week and in time for the spring Bank Holiday weekend and to begin the meteorological summer and June at present."
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Practically everywhere south of Glasgow and west of the East Coast can expect 20C heat on Sunday
Met Office
But the Met Office long-range forecast for the end of the month isn't quite so optimistic, and notes the amount of uncertainty present in predictions leading up to May 30.
It estimates that, as May draws to a close, conditions will likely remain "fairly unsettled across much of the UK, with further rain, showers or even thunderstorms in places, though there will be some sunshine between times, the best of this possibly in southwestern parts".
Its forecast continues: "Both rainfall amounts and temperatures are likely to be a little above average, but some large spatial differences are likely."
However, temperature maps from the Met Office for this weekend paint a much prettier picture.
Thermometers across the country are set to hit 20C or higher throughout Saturday and Sunday, with Manchester and London due to hit 22C.
In fact, people living anywhere south of Glasgow and a few miles inland are almost guaranteed climes of 20C or more - though those in Northern Ireland and along the UK's coasts can expect temperatures in the high teens.
But it's not all sunshine; despite acknowledging the warmth, the Met Office says Saturday will kick off with "a murky start for many with some rain in the south, turning more showery through the day with a risk of thunder."
Its short-range forecast continues: "A drier end to the weekend and into Monday. Showers still remain in places, with rain moving into the west on Tuesday."
