Bristol is set to be hotter than Turkey over the bank holiday weekend, the Met Office predicts. After warm temperatures and clear skies for the past couple of weeks, the forecaster expects more hot weather to continue the weekend, with the mercury peaking on Saturday, May 27, over the weekend.
Recent waves of high pressure will continue over the weekend, bringing yet more warmth and sun. Temperatures are expected to stay in the high teens and low 20s into early next week, reaching even higher than holiday hot spot Turkey on Saturday and Sunday.
The Met Office forecasts today (May 26) and Saturday to see the best of the weather in Bristol, predicting sunshine and clear skies for most. Sunday and Monday, though still dry and warm, are expected to be cloudier before the sun returns in time for work on Tuesday.
Read more: Met Office forecasts exactly when hot weather could come to an end
The mercury will reach 21C today and peak at 22C on Saturday, higher than Istanbul at 20C. Bristolians can expect another warm day on Sunday, reaching 20C despite forecast cloud, before the mercury drops to 17C or Monday. The Met Office predicts a return to the low 20Cs as the working week begins.
Met Office chief forecaster, Paul Gundersen, said: “The jet stream sitting to the north of the UK is holding unsettled weather systems at bay and allowing high pressure to dominate bringing fine weather to the vast majority of the UK.
“The current position of the high-pressure means we will see a westerly air flow over the UK, a cooler direction than if air was being brought up from the south, and areas such as Spain or Africa. Therefore, we are not likely to reach heatwave conditions, but temperatures will still be warm reaching the low 20’s for many, particularly in the South West and southern Wales.”
The forecaster warns of high UV levels in Bristol through the weekend, even on cloudy days, and reminds people to stay safe in the sun to avoid the dangerous rays. Yinka Ebo, Senior Health Information Officer at Cancer Research UK said: "It's great to have such lovely weather, and we all need some sun to keep us healthy, but it's important to stay safe when the sun is strong and take care not to burn.
"In many cases sunburn actually happens in the UK, often when people are out and about. The sun's rays can be strong enough to burn in the UK from around April to September. You can protect yourself and your family from sunburn by using a combination of shade, clothing and at least SPF 15 sunscreen when enjoying the sunshine."
Met Office South West forecast
Headline: Plenty of fine weather with warm sunny spells.
Today: A fine and dry day with plenty of sunshine. Fair-weather cloud developing through the afternoon. Feeling warm inland with light winds but cooler along breezier southern coasts. Maximum temperature 21 °C.
Tonight: Staying dry through the evening and overnight with cloud melting away to leave increasingly clear skies. Feeling cool in rural areas. Winds remaining light inland. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
Saturday: Another fine day and with plentiful amounts of sunshine. Again, some fair-weather cloud perhaps bubbling up in the afternoon. Feeling warm away from coasts. Maximum temperature 22 °C.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday: High pressure keeps it dry to end the bank holiday weekend, but with more scattered cloud possible and feeling cooler with an increasing breeze. Prolonged sunshine returns on Tuesday.
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