UK weather: Bright skies and sunny spells forecast before temperatures soar next week

Bright skies are forecast across most of the UK on Thursday, continuing into the weekend ahead of what could prove a very warm start to next week.

Most areas of the UK will wake up to a dry, chilly morning on Thursday with a bright day ahead, according to Met Office forecasters.

Temperatures are set to be as low as 5C in Scotland, 7C in northern England and parts of Wales and 9C in the southeast as day breaks.

Clouds will push in over England and Wales from the west moving into the afternoon but warm, sunny spells are expected throughout the day.

Northwestern Scotland will face harsher conditions than elsewhere with showers expected and winds speeds looking to pick up as Thursday progresses.

The region is expected to see some heavy rain moving into Friday which should weaken as it pushes southeast. Parts of northern England are expected to see some showers early on Friday.

Wind speeds elsewhere in the country look set to pick up moving into Friday, particularly in northern parts, though again most of the UK will be seeing a bright, dry day approaching the weekend.

Temperatures should pick up by Sunday, topping 20C in the south and parts of northern England, heading into a far warmer new week when a peak in the high-20s is expected on Monday in the southeast, according to the Met Office.