The weather looks set to warm up next week, with forecasts indicating the possibility of the very first UK 'mini' heatwave of 2023. Weather charts and maps suggest a plume of warm air sweeping across northern France on Monday (April 17), forcing temperatures to rise in Britain.
According to BBC Weather, the mercury could hit highs of 20C in London - with 19C expected in Nottingham. For the East Midlands as a whole, temperatures are set to hover around 18-20C under largely sunny skies from April 17-20.
But what is the Met Office saying? In it latest UK long range weather forecast - from April 15-24 - the agency appears mostly non-committal, but does predict temperatures to gradually increase.
READ MORE: Met Office forecasts thunder and heavy rain to hit this week
"Daytime temps warming to around normal", the organising says. "Later in the period, a trend towards less unsettled weather more widely is likely, but especially across the south and east. Most likely feeling warm in the sunshine by day, but chilly nights still possible."
Further ahead to the final two weeks of April and the start of May, the Met Office adds: "In general, there is a greater chance of more settled weather dominating during this period, maintaining the likelihood of morning fog patches and late season night frosts. However, there is also a chance of seeing some unsettled or changeable spells of weather too.
"Temperatures are most likely to be above average overall for the time of year." Senior meteorologist at British Weather Services, Jim Dale has echoed the potential for "above average temperatures" from around April 15, as reported by Birmingham Live.
"We do get heatwaves in April, it does happen. It'll be a soft heatwave for the second half of April, it could get somewhere in the mid-20s pushing to May, in that general direction," he said.
"I can't be overly detailed at the moment, but the signs are there for this kind of change - it's when you see the charts going in that direction. The only thing we have to work with is unpredictability - but it is certainly going that way at the moment."
Latest weather forecast for Nottingham:
Today:
A dry and breezy start to the day with plenty of sunny spells. Becoming cloudier by lunchtime with a band of persistent rain, heavy at times, and strong winds moving in from the west from mid-afternoon onwards. Maximum temperature 12C.
Tonight:
Rain and strong winds continue, with rain clearing eastwards before midnight. The odd blustery shower possible in the west, but generally a dry and chilly night under clear skies. Minimum temperature 3C.
Wednesday:
Remaining unsettled through Wednesday with strong winds continuing. Frequent rain and heavy showers throughout the day with possible hail and thunder, wintry over high ground. Feeling cooler than previous days. Maximum temperature 9C.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Strong winds, showers and rain continue through much of the rest of the week, although winds do ease on Friday. A fine day on Saturday, dry with sunny spells.
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