New weather maps have revealed temperatures soaring as high as 24C next week, with charts turning orange as the jet stream is set to roast parts of the British Isles. Netweather maps valid for next Tuesday, April 29, show the mercury rising to a scorching 24C across parts of the Kent and Essex coast in the south east of England.

The hot weather forecast also extends to London with highs of 22C, with temperatures hitting 20C on the south coast in places like Brighton and 18C in Cornwall. Elsewhere, live charts predict 20C in East Anglia, 19C in the West Midlands, and 17C across Wales and Greater Manchester. Further north is not set to be so warm, with maps painting a clear 'north-south divide'.

In a stark contrast to summery weather further south, the north of Scotland is set to witness highs of just 12C, while it could reach 14C across the central belt including Glasgow and Edinburgh. Newcastle could see peaks of 16C while it will dip to 12C in the Lake District, according to the latest maps, with the Met Office also hinting at the possibility of above average temperatures in its long-range predictions.

A separate map, also published by Netweather, appears to show hot air being pushed over the British Isles thanks to the jet stream. However, another forecaster, WX Charts, is less optimistic about the chances of temperatures soaring quite as high as 24C.

In its map for England and Wales for the same date, temperatures only seem to reach as high as 20C in London and the east of England, 17C in the south west, 17C in Wales, 19C in Leeds and 14C in Newcastle.

Temperatures in the UK normally average out at highs of around 14C, although it fluctuates massively during the transition season, according to weather experts.

The Met Office long-range forecast for the period between Friday, April 25 and Sunday, May 4, predicts that there will be "large amounts of fine weather" with temperatures above average, despite chances of rain across parts of Britain, too.

It reads: "Most likely dry and often bright across much of the UK at the start of this period, although more cloud, and some rain are possible across western areas. Little changes through the first weekend, although the chance of a few heavy showers increases across the south. Into the following week, it will most probably be high pressure dominated, with large amounts of fine weather, and perhaps the odd heavy shower, especially in the south.

"However, there is a small chance of an alternative scenario coming off, with cloudier and wetter weather more extensive, especially across the south and west of the UK. Winds are most likely to be light, with temperatures probably at or slightly above normal."

Headline:

A week of fluctuating weather ahead.

Today:

The day will kick off with a rather cloudy sky, accompanied by bouts of rain across the western regions. As the day progresses, the rain will shift eastwards, succeeded by sunshine and intermittent showers. Some of these showers could be quite heavy, with instances of hail and thunder.

Tonight:

The rain will gradually move eastwards this evening, leading to a dry night with extended clear spells. A few patches of fog may develop, with temperatures dropping near freezing in rural areas.

Tuesday:

Tuesday promises to be a bright day for many, featuring sunny intervals and sporadic showers. However, rain is expected to return to the west later in the day. Many will experience warmer conditions.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Wednesday will see early rain giving way to sunshine and showers. Thursday is set to be mainly dry, with some sunshine. Rain is forecasted to return to the western regions on Friday, while it remains drier further east. The sun will bring warmth throughout these days.