Met Office says UK to be hit with 'much warmer' weather due to 'amplified' jet stream

The UK is set to be hit with much warmer weather next week, with temperatures reaching the early to mid 20s and peaking at 24C in London, as the Met Office has explained that this is due to an "amplified" jet stream

The UK is set to bask in warm weather for the second time this season, with the Met Office attributing the rise in temperatures to an "amplified" jet stream.

Starting from Monday, April 28, the mercury is expected to climb into the early to mid-20s, with London seeing highs of 24C by Wednesday, April 30.

According to the UK's weather agency, next week's temperatures could be up to 10C above the seasonal average. Remarkably, this marks the second instance of unseasonably warm conditions this spring.

In a statement on X, previously known as Twitter, the Met Office explained: "A spell of much warmer weather is on the way next week. As the jet stream becomes more amplified this weekend, a 'blocked' weather pattern will develop across northwest Europe - but how long this lasts for is uncertain."

The term "blocked weather" is used by the Met Office to describe weather fronts that remain stationary or move from east to west, contrary to their typical west to east trajectory. This indicates that a large high-pressure system is staying put over an area for an extended period, reports the Manchester Evening News.

What does this mean for our weather forecast?

Essentially, under the influence of high pressure, we can expect the weather to stay mostly dry and settled for several days, or possibly even weeks.

With the arrival of warmer conditions, there's also an increase in UV rays, prompting the Met Office to advise the public to use sun cream to protect their skin when enjoying time outdoors.

The UK's weather agency has issued a warning for a high pollen count in the coming days, advising hay fever sufferers to stay updated with the Met Office pollen forecast for the next five days to determine if they need to take precautions.

Looking ahead at the UK-wide forecast from April 29 to May 8, the Met Office predicts: "Widely fine and dry across the majority of the UK for the first couple of days of this forecast period."

They add that "Clear or sunny spells are likely across most regions, although the north and northwest of Scotland and Northern Ireland could be cloudier with a little light rain or drizzle at times. Into early May, it will probably begin to turn more changeable, with dry, settled periods interspersed with some spells of unsettled weather."

For the longer-term outlook between May 9 and 23, the Met Office anticipates: "Fairly typical spring weather is expected during the middle of May."

They explain that "Periods of fine and dry weather are likely to be interspersed with spells of wetter, more unsettled weather, with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms. Temperatures will most likely be near normal or slightly above."