SCOTLAND is set to see temperatures surge into the 20s as above average figures are forecast across the UK next week.
The Met Office has said temperatures could reach up to 10 degrees above average across most of England and Wales next week, with 9 degrees above average across Scotland.
As the sunny spring weather returns after a record-breaking March, the peak of the week will be in Glasgow with 22 degrees forecast for Wednesday, and Inverness, with a predicted temperature of 20 degrees.
Edinburgh temperatures will also hit 22 degrees on Wednesday.
Aberdeen and Dundee can expect 19 and 21 degrees, respectively.
Over the weekend, highs of 17 degrees are forecast in Scotland.
The Met Office said in its forecast for Wednesday: “A bright morning with sunny spells but scattered showers are expected to develop for the afternoon. Feeling quite warm in the sunshine, with mainly light easterly winds. Maximum temperature 22C.”
Thursday is expected to bring “sunny spells and a few showers”.
Looking ahead to the weekend, the forecaster said: “[Expect] cloud and occasionally heavy rain spreading east Friday morning, with freshening south-easterly winds. Rain clears to showers early Saturday, with winds turning south westerly with sunny intervals.”
Is Scotland to see a heatwave?
No. There is a clear cut rule for how to define a heatwave.
"Temperatures are likely to rise early next week, initially in the south and could well be into the low 20s in the south of the UK," the Met Office explained.
"This is relatively typical for a warm spell in April and doesn’t constitute a heatwave, which requires specific thresholds to be met or exceeded over a three-day period.
"In any case, the lowest threshold for a heatwave in some parts of the UK is 25C, beyond the 22C in the headline."
They went on: "While above average temperatures are most likely, especially for those in the south and east, it’s too early for a specific and definitive temperature forecast."
