UK weather: Large parts of country set to be warm and sunny early next week

Much of the UK will bask in warm, sunny conditions at the start of next week, with inland temperatures up to 10C higher than average, but it's a mixed picture before then.

The first half of spring brought warmth and sunshine for many, but the last 10 days have been more changeable.

Some areas of Ireland, Northern Ireland, southwest Wales, and southwest England have seen much-needed rainfall, whereas parts of northern Britain have observed very little.

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Tyne and Wear in northeast England has recorded just 7% of its average April rainfall, whereas Cornwall in the southwest of the country has already seen 156%.

And the Milford Haven rain gauge in Wales has seen over twice its average April rainfall.

There'll be more rain over the next few days, mainly in the West, but it looks like high pressure will settle things down from Sunday.

Temperatures will rise too, becoming widely above average on Monday and Tuesday.

Highs of 22C (72F) to 24C (75F) can be expected.

The highest temperature of the year so far is 24C (75F), seen at Northolt in northwest London on Saturday 12 April.

The settled conditions will bring plenty of sunshine, with UV levels expected to be around moderate.

Tree pollen levels will be high in the South, low to moderate in the North.

What happens from next Wednesday onwards is unclear.

A thundery breakdown is possible from the South, or wet and windy conditions may move in from the North West.

Other computer models suggest high pressure will hold on, with the fine weather continuing and potentially higher temperatures.

The last time that 25C (77C) was reached in April was during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.

The highest temperature ever recorded in April was 29.4C (85F), seen at Camden Square in London on 16 April 1949.

All this means that it will be quite warm for the London Marathon, which will take place this Sunday.

Temperatures will be around 11-12C (52-54F) at the start, potentially peaking at a warm 22C (70F).

That's a little off the highest temperature ever recorded for the race, which stands at 24.2C (76F) seen at St James's Park in 2018.

But it will be a lot higher than the 12.6C (55F) seen last year.

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It'll be dry for runners and spectators, with sunny spells and light winds.

Competitors in the Manchester Marathon on Sunday will face similar conditions to London's runners; it should be dry with sunny spells. The temperature first thing will be around 9C (48F), but it'll warm up with a high of about 19C (66F).

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