UK weather forecast – 18C ‘mini heatwave’ this weekend after thick fog sparked travel chaos

A March heatwave in the MINI brings warm sunshine galore over the weekend.

There will be “hardly a cloud in the sky” as temperatures soar to a summery 18C well into next week.

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The mild spell seemed unlikely this morning as mercury temperatures hovered around -6C in the Glens of Scotland.

A yellow weather warning for thick fog was also in effect in parts of Wales and western England, causing travel chaos for many.

But fortunately the fog has cleared and brings clear skies and lots of sunshine.

Temperatures will hit 13C in Edinburgh today, 15C in Liverpool and 16C in Cardiff – with London even exceeding 18C.

And the unseasonably nice weather will continue tomorrow and into Sunday.

Met Office meteorologist Claire Nasir said: “Lots of blue skies and lots of sunshine all day on Friday.

“It might get misty towards the west of Scotland as we see more high cloud here and certainly quite a breeze over the western isles.

“Even so, it’s staying dry everywhere until the afternoon and that will really help keep mid-day temperatures very good.

“Temperatures in Scotland and Northern Ireland are hovering around 12C or 13C, but we have been able to see readings of around 16C to 18C in mid Wales in south-east England – a bright end to the working week.”

Saturday could be “quite windy” in the east, but the afternoon will be warm as mercury hits highs of 16C in England and a possible 18C in northern Scotland.

According to BBC weather forecaster Matt Taylor, there will also be “hardly a cloud in the sky for the vast majority”.

Next Sunday it will be a little cooler, but still “fine and dry with some sunshine” and “hardly a cloud in the sky”.

And it doesn’t stop there, as forecasters believe the sun is here to stay.

Conditions are “getting a little warmer” and approaching 20C in London by Wednesday, according to BBC Weather.

And Netweather senior forecaster Jo Farrow said: “The ongoing theme for next week is calmer, drier weather with a more southerly flow.

“That means temperatures will be higher, possibly into the high teens and even into the low 20s.”

The summer predictions have led bookmakers to lower the odds of temperatures of at least 20C in March.

Coral is now 1-2 on the milestone achieved with April being the hottest on record at 4-5.

Bookmaker’s John Hill said: “It feels like spring has started early this year and it looks like we’re set for a hot April.”

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