UK weather: Britons bask in 20C scorcher as mercury in Manchester outstrips Barcelona ()

<iframe frameborder="0" height="100%" scrolling="no" src="https://www.gbnews.com/res/scraper/embed/?video_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmm-v2.simplestream.com%2Fiframe%2Fplayer.php%3Fkey%3D3Li3Nt2Qs8Ct3Xq9Fi5Uy0Mb2Bj0Qs%26player%3DGB003%26uvid%3D52413442%26type%3Dvod%26viously_id%3DHvNYF9AzHT6" width="100%"></iframe><br/><p>Britons are set to enjoy a warm spell next week as temperatures soar to as high as 20C across the UK.</p><p>The Met Office has predicted that most places will experience dry conditions with clear or sunny spells at the turn of the month.</p><h3></h3><br/><p>Gentle winds are expected to accompany the pleasant weather as the country moves from March into April.</p><p>Temperatures are expected to remain in the mid-teens over the weekend, with highs of 14C in London.</p><h3></h3><br/><img alt="An image of Britons enjoying Brighton Beach" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8aa8696c6a5b96e2dd161e75470ece7a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="1fd25" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/an-image-of-britons-enjoying-brighton-beach.jpg?id=59702861&width=980"/><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-latest"></div><p>From Sunday onwards, the mercury will climb significantly across the country.</p><p>Southern England will see temperatures reach 18C on Sunday, whilst the north of England and Scotland will remain above average at 14C.</p><p>These warmer conditions are forecast to continue consistently through the early part of next week.</p><p>Wednesday will see the peak of the warm spell, with London and the south-east expected to enjoy temperatures of up to 20C.</p><p>The north won't miss out on the pleasant conditions, with temperatures forecast to reach 18C in northern regions.</p><h3></h3><br/><img alt="The Met Office's temperature forecast next Thursday at 4pm" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b2d6fa7bf51339d5472f656959249c55" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="19be4" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/the-met-office-s-temperature-forecast-next-thursday-at-4pm.png?id=59702867&width=980"/><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-dontmiss"></div><p>Greater Manchester is set to reach 20C on Thursday, putting it a whole 3Cs above Barcelona.</p><p>The Met Office noted that inland areas will experience a "general day-on-day warming" throughout next week.</p><p>Coastal areas will remain somewhat cooler, with an additional risk of mist or sea fog affecting parts of the east coast.</p><p>Despite the general warming trend, the Met Office has highlighted regional variations in the forecast.</p><p>While most of the UK will enjoy the warm spell, those near the coast can expect cooler temperatures.</p><p>Parts of the east coast may experience mist or sea fog during the period.</p><h3></h3><br/><p>The Met Office also noted that while some showers may affect southern or western areas, most of the country can expect "dry and fine weather".</p><p>A Met Office spokesman clarified that whilst temperatures will be above average, they won't reach heatwave thresholds.</p><p>"A heatwave is an extended period of hot weather relative to the expected conditions of the area at that time of year, which may be accompanied by high humidity," he added.</p><p>"While the temperatures next week are expected to be warm and above average for the time of year, they are unlikely to be anything unusual for late March, early April."</p><h3></h3><br/><img alt="People sunbathing in Manchester" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="663a3b11a9ad000c01e742d1879950c9" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="9b19e" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/people-sunbathing-in-manchester.jpg?id=59702864&width=980"/><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-mostread"></div><h3></h3><br/><p>The Met Office added that temperatures will "likely be around or above normal and feeling warm during the day".</p><p>However, they cautioned that "some cold nights are still possible when skies are clear".</p><p>Overall, Britons can look forward to a pleasant spell of spring weather, with temperatures well above the seasonal average.</p><p>The warm conditions will provide a welcome respite after the typically changeable British weather of recent weeks.</p>