Met Office confirms Easter weather for the UK with sizzlingly hot temperatures

08 April 2023 , 07:54

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Good Friday and Saturday were expected to provide the most summery conditions, with a return to average temperatures for April (Image: William Lailey / SWNS)

The long bank holiday weekend will be much warmer and drier than the past few weeks, the Met Office has confirmed.

There will be some light winds, but the overarching theme of the Easter break will be balmy, spring-like temperatures, it said.

Good Friday and Saturday were expected to provide the most summery conditions, with a return to average temperatures for April.

Some parts of the Southeast around London were forecast to hit 21C on Friday afternoon, although the average temperature appeared to be around 18C.

But, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday could provide a slight downturn, with some mild frost and unsettled weather.

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The long bank holiday weekend will be much warmer and drier than the past few weeks (Amer Ghazzal/REX/Shutterstock)

The Met Office's deputy chief meteorologist Helen Caughey said: "It will be drier by the start of the Easter break, with bright, clear spells and light winds in most places.

"Although there will be some chilly nights it will be pleasant by day with sunny spells and some light winds, though on paper temperatures will be around average for the time of year.

"While there is still some uncertainty in the detailed forecast for Easter Sunday and Monday the general trend is for fine weather in the south and east while it looks like it could turn more unsettled in the north and west.

"Fairly typical spring weather for us."

Good Friday could see temperatures hit 21C in west London in mid-afternoon

The turn in temperature would come after the wettest March in more than 40 years for England and Wales.

England recorded almost 120mm of rainfall throughout the month, which is more than double its long-term average, the Met Office said.

Across the Irish Sea, Northern Ireland also had one of its wettest months on record, with 74 per cent more rainfall than average.

The large rainfall helped to resupply nationwide water level stocks, but some areas still haven't recovered from last year's drought.

Environment Agency Executive Director John Leyland said: "Rainfall in March has helped water levels improve, but it follows on the heels of a very dry February so there is a need to remain vigilant – especially in areas that have not recovered from the drought last year.

"As ever, it is important that we all continue to use water carefully to protect our precious rivers, lakes and groundwater, and the environment and wildlife that depend on it."

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At the same time, the majority of the UK had a duller-than-average month - in terms of sunlight hours.

The UK as a whole saw 81.1 hours of sunshine in March, which is just 74 per cent of the long-term average.

Matt Atherton