The UK is set to swelter in a mini-heatwave, with the Met Office predicting that dry spells, sunshine and above-average temperatures will dominate the weather in the middle of the month.

Britons reeling following Storm Kathleen will be heartened to learn that bleak, grey skies are soon to be a thing of the past.

Brits will start seeing the summer sun from around April 11 until April 20 according to the Met Office. The south and east of the country in particular will see the best of the conditions.

The national forecaster added that the mercury will most likely be “above normal for the period as a whole”.

The Met Office’s long-range forecast for that period reads: “Southern and eastern areas are likely to have some decent drier spells of weather with some good sunshine at times.

“Here, whilst some rain is still likely, this is probably less heavy and much less frequent than in recent weeks.

“Above average temperatures are most likely overall, although some cooler interludes are possible at times, especially in the north.”

The forecast for April 21 to May 5 then continued: “Through the second half of April and the beginning of May, there is no strong signal for any one weather pattern to dominate over another.

“As such, further rain and showers are likely at times, perhaps most-frequently in the north and northwest.

“There is also a reasonable chance of some drier and sunnier spells of weather, with these likely being more frequent towards the south and east.

“Temperatures most likely above normal for the period as a whole.”

Windy with heavy showers and bright spells.

This Evening and Tonight:

Turning dry for many during the evening but light rain continuing for parts of Wales and central England. Winds easing, but staying blustery and with showers confined to the northwest of Scotland. Further rain moving into Wales later.

Monday:

A low pressure system arrives on Monday giving further wet and windy weather, especially for southwest England and Wales. Coastal winds combined with high spring tides can cause flooding.

Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:

Staying unsettled with wet and often windy weather, with only brief drier spells. Temperatures around average, possibly turning warmer and more settled in the south by Wednesday.