Fresh weather maps show parts of Britain could be basking in temperatures more suited to Barbados than Brighton in the coming days, with a scorching mini-heatwave set to arrive in the coming days. On Monday, May 5, which is a bank holiday, forecast charts from Netweather.tv show vast areas of the south east of the country enjoying sweltering temperatures.

Norfolk, Essex, Suffolk, Kent, Cambridgeshire, West and East Sussex and Greater London all look set to enjoy the sunshine, with many perhaps heading for the beach in Brighton or the parks of central London to catch some rays. For the rest of the country, temperatures will drop the further north and west you go, with the far west of Scotland seeing temperatures more than 10 degrees lower.

A Met Office forecast for May 5, the first of two bank holidays in May, said there is a strong signal temperatures could be "at or above average." 

A statement said: "Winds are most likely to be light, with temperatures probably at or slightly above normal.

"The period begins with the two alternate scenarios continuing, most likely widely dry and settled, but a lower chance of more unsettled and wet conditions, especially in the south and west.

"Towards the middle of the month signals become weak and mixed, with more balanced chances of dry / settled and wetter / unsettled conditions.

"But compared to the start of this period, this represents an increased chance of more unsettled / wet conditions. There is however a strong signal for temperatures to be at or above average."

For this coming week the Met Office said the UK weather will be "changeable" as rain continues across the country following a dry spell.

Much of the nation will see alternating sunny spells and showers over the next few days, forecasters said, with temperatures within the seasonal average of 14C (57F) to 18C (64F).

Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud said the rain was "welcome news" as rainfall figures for April had so far remained below the amount expected for this time of year.

Mr Stroud said: "Changeable probably sums it (the weather) up nicely. The rain is going to be fairly welcome news for the gardeners, because it's been actually very dry up until now.

"(For) April to date, rainfall figures are well below where they should be."

The average rainfall figure for April nationally is 71mm, Mr Stroud said, but the UK has only seen 27.2mm so far, or 38% of the April average.

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.