Parts of the UK are set to beat temperatures in Ibiza over the weekend as Brits experience the driest spring in more than a century.
Temperatures could hit 25C on Sunday in western areas of England and parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, with most areas set to see blue skies over both days, the Met Office said.
As of Friday, 80.6mm of rain has been recorded for the UK this spring, nearly 20mm less than the record low for the full season of 100.7mm set in 1852.
With more than two weeks of May left, the Met Office said it is too early to say how spring (March, April and May) as a whole will rank.
Met Office forecaster Tom Morgan said: ‘This weekend will really be a continuation of what we’ve seen over the last week or two, lots of sun shining.
‘A few caveats, eastern parts of the UK will see generally cloudier skies in the mornings first thing, both tomorrow and on Sunday.
‘And it’s been those eastern coasts where it’s been pretty cool and cloudy through recent days, so if you are stuck on the North Sea coasts of England in particular, but also north-east Scotland, there will be some low cloud and temperatures very much suppressed, but for the vast majority, blue skies through the afternoons and temperatures in the low 20s.
‘Tomorrow, probably 23C or 24C is on the cards in several areas.
Parts of the UK are set to beat temperatures in Ibiza over the weekend as Brits experience the driest spring in more than a century. Pictured: A sunbather in St James’ Park, London
Brits are currently experiencing the driest spring in more than a century. Pictured: A sunbather basks in the sun in St James’ Park, London
‘Sunday will probably be the slightly warmer day, so 22C to 24C a bit more widespread across the west, so the central belt Scotland, Northern Ireland, north-west England, east Wales and south-west England, perhaps an isolated 25C.’
Mr Morgan said there may be rainfall at the end of the month, though not necessarily enough to be ‘useful’ for farmers after the dry spell.
Rachel Hallos, vice president of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), previously said: ‘The lack of any substantial rain over the past few weeks is starting to raise a few concerns although the picture across farming sectors is mixed.
‘Farmers in some parts of the country have started irrigating much earlier than normal, but thankfully reservoirs are full following the wet autumn and winter and there are good stores of groundwater.
‘The extreme weather patterns we now regularly experience are impacting our ability to feed the nation.’
The Environment Agency warned of a ‘medium’ risk of drought in England this summer without sustained rainfall.
The Met Office said the driver for the prolonged warm and very dry spell has been high pressure.
Responding to farmers’ concerns, a Government spokesperson said: ‘Our water infrastructure is crumbling after years of underinvestment, with population growth and climate change adding further strain.
The Met Office predicts higher than normal spring temperatures on Saturday
Saturday evening will bring temperatures into the 20s in parts of the country
Sunday is predicted to be warmer than Saturday, with temperatures expected to reach 25C in some areas across the UK
The River Ravensbourne runs low as it meanders through Catford, south east London
The partially revealed bed of Woodhead Reservoir in Derbyshire is seen in a drone photo
Low water levels at Topside Reservoir in Derbyshire were seen earlier this week
England has experienced its driest start to spring in March and April since 1956
‘We are monitoring water levels and expect water companies to cut leaks and take action to protect supplies.
‘Over £104 billion of private sector investment has been secured to fund essential infrastructure, including nine new reservoirs, to help secure our future water supply for farmers.’
The warning comes amid the possibility of hosepipe bans, as parts of the country start to show the impact of scant rainfall in recent weeks.
Drone photographs taken earlier this week show the partially revealed bed of the Woodhead Reservoir in Derbyshire after weeks of little rain.
Thames Water has already begun warning that potential restrictions could be put in place.
Chief executive Chris Weston said the company is doing ‘all we need to’ to prepare for potential water shortages.
He said the utility giant has learned the lessons of 2022, when it was reported the firm came ‘dangerously close’ to running out of water amid drought and record heatwaves.
While a hosepipe ban is not a certainty, it could be one of many options that utility companies consider in a bid to preserve water supplies should the dry spell continue.
