UK weather: Hot temperatures 'tantalisingly close' as maps turn yellow following week of freeze

It comes after an unsettled set of conditions are set to hit the UK, with a chance of some thunderstorms expected next weekend.

The Met Office is also forecasting strong winds and possible coastal gales across the Eastern coast with a chance of the 12th storm of the season­, which would be named Lilian.

Senior meteorologist Jim Dale told the Daily Express: "May is showing warmer temperatures and that's not unexpected. It's overdue and later in spring so we would expect it anyway. But having said that, it's a north-south split, with it taking longer for the warmer weather to permeate north."

On the chances of even warmer temperatures for the UK in May, he said: "It's tantalisingly close. It won't take much for it to jump across the Channel, but we'll have to watch from day to day.

"It hasn't been far away, but hasn't yet made it into the north west quadrant of Europe. But it's starting to bubble up, ready to march across the Channel and invade."

He added: "We have to be a bit more patient and get through a ropey weekend to the other side. There's lots of spring and summer yet to come."

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The Met Office forecast for next week says: "Gradually becoming more unsettled towards the weekend with showers or longer spells of rain at times. Often cloudy and feeling chilly in brisk winds.

"It will be an uncertain start to the weekend though likely unsettled as a frontal system continues to push north across the UK, coupled with strong winds and possible coastal gales, this likely followed by a showery day with potential thunderstorms on Sunday and again on Monday.

"Beyond this, low pressure patterns continue to dominate with wet weather perhaps more likely to develop in parts of the south and east, though all parts are may see some rain at times.

"Winds further into the period [will be] mostly light to moderate. Temperatures will likely trend near or slightly above average, though some cooler interludes remain possible."

The forecast continued: "Into early May, something of a north-south split looks possible, with relatively drier conditions further to the north and the greatest chance of rain further to the south."