HIGHS of 20C are expected this week following a washout weekend of cancelled cricket matches and flooding, the Met Office said.
Forecasters expect warmer weather to return mid-week, with south-east England set to enjoy the highest temperatures.
ReutersPedestrians carrying umbrellas cross Westminster Bridge, in London, at the weekend[/caption]
Stephen Huntley/HVCRoads in Essex flooded on Sunday as heavy rain overnight[/caption]
Areas north of Newcastle, particularly the east coast of Scotland, will see the chilliest weather next week with potential showers scattered across the UK, forecasters said.
Senior meteorologist at the Met Office Amy Bokota said: “Temperatures have been below average for the last couple of weeks, so certainly by the time we get to Wednesday, and probably into next weekend, temperatures will be warmer.
“It might not be the sort of glorious sort of heatwave that we’re hoping for … but there probably will be some more pleasant and warmer weather for some people as we head towards the end of the week.”
This warmer weather comes after heavy rain interrupted sports matches and flood warnings were issued across the UK during the weekend.
Emergency services were called to assist two people inside a car that was submerged in around 50cm of floodwater under a railway bridge in Thurmaston, Leicester, on Sunday morning, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said.
Cricket matches across the country were postponed or cancelled over the weekend because of the rain and soggy grounds, including Vitality County Championship games in County Durham, Yorkshire and Leicester.
The Environment Agency issued several flood warnings for Sunday, meaning flooding was expected, including in St Ives in Cornwall, areas on the River Wreake in Leicestershire, Water Eaton Brook at Water Eaton and several towns on the Isle of Wight.
So far this month, the maximum temperature recorded has been 21.8C in Writtle, Essex, on April 13 with a low of minus 6.3C recorded in Shap, Cumbria, on April 26 and a UK-wide average of 8.4C, according to the Met Office.
Grey skies and wet weather meant April may have felt unusually cold despite temperatures being higher than average for the time of year, the organisation said.
It comes as Britain faces early May Bank Holiday travel chaos with 16million cars set to clog roads on “Frantic Friday” and rail strikes.
The sunny spells after a wet week will make jams even worse, as millions dash for day trips to fairs and coasts.
Friday is set for a tea-time meltdown as a holidaymakers’ rush clashes with office workers and after-school traffic.
Around 16million drivers are expected on roads that day, data trends show.
FIVE DAY FORECAST
Today:
A band of rain in the west slowly moves northeast through the day, giving a mostly wet day to western parts. Driest in the east, especially the southeast with sunny spells. A little milder for most. Breezy.
Tonight:
Rain continuing in western parts, turning heavy at times, mainly over high ground. Further east staying dry with clear spells and turning chilly again by dawn.
Tuesday:
Heavy showery rain again for western parts with strong winds on exposed coasts. Staying largely dry in the east. Breezy at first but winds easing through the day.
Wednesday to Friday:
Often changeable through the week with showers, longer spells of rain and sunnier intervals in between. Generally more settled across northern parts. Warmer than of late and breezy at times.
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “It’s looking like a Frantic Friday, with getaway, school and commuter traffic building into the evening.
“Major trunk routes will be congested, with Saturday also busy.
“And after such miserable cold temperatures recently, drivers are ready to make the most of any better weather.
“Expect many more people on roads on days temperatures rise.”