Brits are set to bask in sweltering 25C heat later this month, as the high temperatures on the Continent finally hit this country.
It has been an unsettled month so far with the mercury rising into the high teens, but wind and rain have never been far away.
Heavy rain is predicted for the Coronation weekend, even though temperatures should be pleasant enough in the areas that enjoy sunny spells.
And it is a similar story for next week, but then in the second half of the month, it is expected to get a lot warmer and even reach 25C.
Spain has already seen unseasonably hot weather with Cordoba reaching a record high of 38.8C for the time of year which has left some worried for what is to come this summer.
While it is not imminent, British Weather Services’ senior meteorological consultant Jim Dale has predicted that temperatures could soon hit the mid-20Cs.
He told The Mirror: “On the balance of things, I reckon a heatwave of some description is overdue and the second half of May is more likely than not to deliver a day or two with 25C in the UK.
"But, there's still lots of water to go under the bridge before then."
The hottest day of the year so far was recorded last Saturday in Pershore, Worcestershire when the mercury topped 20C - so the coming plume is set to topple that record.
The Met Office, however, is not being so optimistic. It said temperatures were expected to be average next week and also for later in the month.
Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern said: “Through next week fairly typical weather for the UK for the time of year. Outbreaks of rain at times, followed by showers but interspersed by sunny spells and it will feel pleasant enough in the sunny spells.
"But the main signal for temperatures is that those temperatures will be at or around average of the time of year. By the end of next week higher pressure could influence things a bit more to bring more settled weather for a time and nothing particularly settled or unsettled is flagged for the middle of May onwards.
"Next week is looking fairly average, fairly typical for the time of year, there will be some showers at times but also some warm sunshine and temperatures will be around average after a fairly showery Bank Holiday weekend."
