Hot weather maps show date 21C heat surge will hit UK - check you area

warm temperatures by the end of this month with some parts of the country set to cook under temperatures soaring to 21C. The roasting warm conditions are forecast to take hold on Thursday May 1, and will likely continue into Friday May 2. the pleasant weather will most likely be seen in southern and eastern England, with temperatures dropping off further north. London, Southampton and Birmingham could all see the mercury reach the 20s, and further north in Manchester the urban heat effect of the big city will also likely keep air temperatures warm.

In Scotland, the far north of England and Northern Ireland it's predicted reading will hover in the late teens, similar to conditions throughout Wales. However, in the Shetland Islands and northwestern Scotland temperatures will struggle to exceed 10 or 11C.

In a long range forecast the Met Office said: "Early May will probably see a good deal of settled weather with high pressure patterns most likely to dominate.

"Given often light winds and for some, a fair amount of sunshine, it should feel pleasantly warm by day, though areas subject to onshore winds and perhaps also most cloud, especially North Sea coasts, may remain somewhat cooler.

"Some chilly nights remain likely, especially where skies are clear."

Looking towards the Easter weekend the weather body has warned of "heavy and possibly disruptive rain today (Good Friday) in parts of south-west England, South Wales and Northern Ireland.

There are also warnings of potential flooding in the South West into Saturday, with drivers urged to take extra care in affected areas.

Some 2.2 million people are expected to head abroad this weekend, travel association Abta said, with Good Friday anticipated to be the busiest day for outbound travel.

A total of 11,282 flights are scheduled to leave UK airports over the four-day period, with popular destinations including Dublin, Amsterdam, Malaga, Alicante and Mallorca, aviation analytics firm Cirium said.

Today:

Rain already across the south and west will spread slowly north and eastwards during the day, however much of eastern England and Scotland will remain dry with some bright or sunny intervals. Feeling warm in the sunnier east.

Tonight:

Windy with spells of rain, heavy at times, in the south and west will continue overnight. Mostly dry with variable amounts of cloud elsewhere. Milder than the previous night.

Saturday:

Rain gradually easing in the west through Saturday, though still rather cloudy. Drier in the east with some bright spells. A little cooler than Friday in the east.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Remaining changeable towards the end of the Easter weekend. Further spells of rain likely, especially across western areas, although some sunnier intervals also expected. Temperatures likely to remain near average.