Mapped: Hottest places in the UK this weekend

Mercury expected to climb to 21C Saturday afternoon

(Met Office/PA)

Temperatures could hit a balmy 21C on Saturday with “extensive sunshine” forecast for swathes of the UK.

Forecasters say the mercury will climb to 20C in Manchester, with highs of 19C in London and 18C in Plymouth following a cool start to the day.

Northern Ireland and northwest Scotland will see less sunshine, although “patches of brightness” are expected going into the afternoon.

It will be mostly sunny in Wales, where highs of 21C have been forecast for Cardiff going into early evening.

Manchester is set to feel the warmest this weekend with temperatures upto 20C (Met Office )

Aidan McGivern, Met Office meteorologist, said: “Despite the cool start, plenty of sunshine actually first thing Saturday and those sunny spells will soon warm up the air with temperatures rising quite nicely.”

Mr Givern added that there will be “extensive sunshine for England and Wales away from the far northwest” where it will turn “increasingly gloomy” as the day progresses.

Going into Sunday it will be a largely dull and cloudy day across Scotland and Northern Ireland with outbreaks of patchy rain and drizzle forecast.

Drier and brighter conditions are expected across England and Wales with periods of sunshine and variable amounts of patchy cloud cover bringing a chance of a few showers, mostly across northern areas.

Looking ahead to next week, Monday will be bright with periods of sunshine. However, variable amounts of clouds will build during the day bringing a threat of showers.

A largely dry evening. Tuesday will be dry for most areas with spells of sunshine and variable amounts of cloud cover. The odd isolated shower is possible, forecasters say.

Met Office forecast

Saturday:

Rather cloudy for Scotland and Northern Ireland, with patchy rain moving southeastwards. Dry and bright for England and Wales, with some warm spells of sunshine. Winds remaining light.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Further cloud and patchy rain for Scotland and Northern Ireland on Sunday. Sunny spells elsewhere. Plenty of sunny spells for all on Monday and Tuesday. Staying on the warm side.