The UK could enjoy two weeks without rain and reach 18 degrees as an anti-cyclone is expected to bring "dry and bright" conditions. Weather maps by WXCharts predict a dry spell for the majority of the UK as far ahead as 13 April, except for parts of the southwest, as forecasters expect Britain will go without rain for a fortnight.

Temperatures are expected to hit a maximum of 18 degrees on the south coast on the 5 April, which varies between 14 and 16 degrees in parts of the South, while the North could see temperatures reach 14 degrees. In Scotland, temperatures will average at around 13 degrees, in Wales around 14 and in Ireland and Northern Ireland, it could reach a maximum of 17 degrees.

A weather forecaster for London and the Southeast explained on X that a "persistent anticyclone" will be responsible for the dry weather.

It said: "No real rain is forecast in London and most of England in next two weeks at least. A persistent anticyclone often centred on UK/NW Europe is responsible. I think many would prefer to see this in summer…."

An anticyclone is an area of high atmospheric pressure where air sinks, leading to stable, settled weather with clear skies and light winds.

According to the Met Office long range forecast from Friday 4 March until Sunday 13 March, there will be "lengthy spells of dry and bright weather, but also an ongoing risk of overnight frosts, especially where winds fall light".

It added: "Later in the period, it may turn more unsettled at times as rain or showers try and push in from the west," predicting that daytime temperatures could fluctuate depending on the wind direction and cloud.

This unexpected heatwave means that parts of Britain will be hotter than Ibiza next week as temperatures are expected to reach a pleasant 18, compared to a plateau of 16 degrees in the Spanish island.