UK weather maps are turning orange as a scorcher moves in for the weekend. Netweather has forecast that summery weather is set to hit the UK next week (May 2), bringing with it high temperatures and the chance of showers.

Temperatures will be highest in London, where they will peak at 21C. There will be highs of 20C in East Anglia (Norwich, Cambridge) and Yorkshire (York, Doncaster). The northeast (Newcastle), the midlands (Birmingham, Northampton), and the south coast (Brighton, Southampton) will sit between 17C and 19C. The rest of the country (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, southwest England) will be between 12C and 16C.

The Met Office said of the period: “Fairly changeable at first, with cloud and rain moving slowly east across the UK, probably easing and breaking into showers as it does so, with more settled conditions developing later in the weekend away from the far northwest.

“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. Any more unsettled interludes liable to be brief and mainly affecting western or northwestern UK.

“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.”

Today:

A day of sunny spells and scattered showers for much of the country. Some of the showers could be heavy at times. Rain arriving across Northern Ireland through the afternoon, moving into Wales and the West Country by the evening.

Tonight:

Rain will continue to move southeastwards across much of central and southern England through the night. Elsewhere will be dry, with clear spells. Temperature for most will be above freezing.

Wednesday:

Early rain will clear southeast England, then most places should be dry with bright or sunny spells. A few showers developing in the afternoon. Feeling warm in the sunnier breaks.

Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:

Mostly dry on Thursday, with sunny spells. Rain likely across northwestern parts of the UK on Friday, slowly easing on Saturday. Mainly dry elsewhere, with warm spells of sunshine.