Met Office declares unseasonable 12C ‘warm spell’ this weekend after heavy rain

07 December 2023 , 05:05

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A person walks their dog along the River Avon in Warwick as morning sun glistens (Image: PA)

Brits will finally experience warmer temperatures this weekend after more heavy rain, the Met Office says.

Forecasters say most of the south of England will see temperatures of 12C on Saturday, and the mercury will hit double figures in most of the rest of the UK. But today several weather warnings for rain are in place across the UK.

Up to 40mm of rain is possible across the southern Peak District, and similar levels are anticipated on higher ground across south Wales. Southwestern areas, including Cornwall, Devon and parts of Dorset and Hampshire, are subject to another yellow weather warning.

Up to 40mm of rain is possible across some parts of the country (PA)

Following this, temperatures rise and skies will be clearer. Writing on its website, the Met Office says the outlook for Friday to Sunday will "feel mild." It says: "An unsettled end to the week with further heavy showers and rain. Often windy, but feeling mild when sheltered with temperatures climbing above average for the time of year."

Looking into next week, the Met Office says: "Potential for a drier spell of weather to develop for a time around mid-month, particularly in the south, with frost and fog more prevalent. Overall, a relatively mild period for the UK, with above average temperatures more likely than not, especially so in the south and west."

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

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The warmest places on Saturday are likely to be Plymouth, Cardiff and London. While the Met Office predicts 12C for these cities and the wider areas, other forecasters believe the mercury may peak at 16C on Saturday - considerably above the average for this time of the year.

Most of the south of England will see temperatures rise this weekend

Writing on Netweather's blog, forecaster Jo Farrow says: "Temperatures could reach 11 to perhaps 16C in southern Britain. It’s a rollercoaster as we say goodbye to the cold Arctic air."

But Cold Weather Payments have been triggered in eleven postcode areas in England, meaning thousands more people are now due to receive £25 towards their energy bills.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has today added parts of the East Midlands to the list of areas where temperatures have been low enough to qualify for the money. Last week it was announced that nearly 300 postcode areas in the North of England and in Northern Ireland would receive the payments, benefiting over 580,000 people.

Bradley Jolly