UK weather forecast: 16C highs this weekend before 'Beast from the East returns'

Parts of the UK will see spring like highs of 16C this weekend, before the Beast from the East potentially makes a comeback next week.

Brits will need to make the most of the warmer weather today and particularly tomorrow, as Scandinavian winds are expected to bite midweek.

Sunday will see the warmest weather, with the south east reaching between 14C and 16C.

Most places will see some dry and bright spells on Saturday with the south-easterly airflow pushing up temperatures to a high of 14C in the south and south west.

The country will be split with best of the conditions in the west and grey skies and patchy rain in the east with a breeze bringing in a slight chill from the North Sea.

(Met Office)

Another dry day is expected on Monday across the north with some sunny spells but it will be cloudier in the south with scattered showers.

But the middle of the week will see the arrival of cold air from Scandinavia bringing rain and fog.

Bonnie Diamond from the Met Office told The Sun: "As we go through the weekend colder air pushing from the Arctic heading through Scandinavia is going to come across the UK, bringing rain and low cloud, hill fog and possibly some mist in eastern parts of the UK, especially eastern coastal areas.

"As we get into Wednesday we will get a northerly colder wind direction, seeing temperatures drop to single figures for some places."

The Beast from the East is the nickname used to refer to cold conditions brought about by a polar continental air mass.

It's been chilly of late, as these commuters in Livingston, West Lothian found on April 3 (Katielee Arrowsmith SWNS)

UK weather forecast: Thunderstorms with heavy rain and brutal 50mph winds to hit 

Last year it brought heavy snow and freezing temperatures, though that isn't expected at this time of year.

But there are warnings a cold snap could still be on the cards next week.

Former BBC weatherman John Hammond, now of Weathertrending, said: "If you think this spring like weather is going to be back for good, thing again.

"Easterly winds are set to bring colder air back in."

By comparison this was the scene in Brighton just a week ago - though it won't be quite this nice this weekend (Getty Images)

Met Office 5 day forecast

Today

Early low cloud, hill fog and rain in the northeast will become more extensive over Scotland and northeast England.

Drier, brighter and warmer elsewhere with the best of the sunshine in the southwest, although an isolated shower is possible.

Tonight

Milder for most with low cloud and hill fog spreading to many regions.

Mostly dry, but patchy rain or drizzle in the east, a local frost possible in the west.

Sunday

Often cloudy and rather cold in northeast, with outbreaks of rain.

Western and southeastern areas drier and brighter, although risk of heavy showers in the southeast.

Warm in any sunshine.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday

Cloudy with outbreaks of rain in the east.

Drier, brighter in the west, although rain or showers for central and southern areas.

Colder, brighter from the east Wednesday.