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Image source, BBC Weather Watchers / Step counter
Ben Rich
Lead Weather Presenter
April showers are unlikely to be much of a feature as we move into the new month.
Instead the UK weather promises to be largely dry this week with lots of spring sunshine.
It will often feel pleasantly warm with daytime highs likely to reach 20C (68F) in places.
However cool breezes will develop, suppressing temperatures for some - especially around the coasts.
There will also be some chilly nights with a touch of frost possible.
Lots of sunshine
An area of high pressure is taking up residence close to the UK and will fend off any major rain-bearing weather systems - keeping many areas completely dry.
There will be very little cloud meaning almost unbroken sunshine for many.
The BBC Weather app is predicting almost unbroken sunshine for many places
The clocks went forward on Sunday ushering in the start of British Summer Time (BST) with sunset times now after 19:00 BST across the whole of the UK.
In fact, in parts of Northern Ireland the sun does not set until after 20:00 BST meaning plenty of extra evening daylight and sunshine.
It is worth bearing in mind that UV levels are expected to be moderate as the sun gains strength at this time of year.
Moderate levels of tree pollen are also predicted - especially for parts of England and Wales.
How warm will it get?
Temperatures will climb into the high-teens Celsius for most parts of the UK with a few places reaching the low-twenties.
The highest temperature recorded so far this year was 21.3C (70.3F) at Chertsey (Surrey) and Northolt (London) on 20 March and there is a chance that this may be exceeded this week.
The location of the warmest weather will shift as the week goes on.
Initially, northern Scotland may see the highest temperatures with 19 or 20C (66-68F) likely in the Highlands during midweek.
A chilly breeze blowing from the North Sea will mean cooler conditions for some eastern coasts.
North-eastern parts will cool down later in the week whereas it will warm up in the south
Thursday and Friday may bring a flip in our temperature fortunes.
Southern England is expected to be warmest by then - with some places reaching 20 or 21C (68-70F) - while northern Scotland turns cooler.
This is because the area of high pressure is expected to change shape and shift its position, introducing chilly north-easterly winds.
High pressure will slowly drift north-westwards bringing chilly winds for some by the end of the week
This subtle shift in the pressure pattern may also allow a few isolated showers to sneak into south-west England and the Channel Islands.
How unusual is it?
Temperatures will be several degrees above the average daytime highs for early April which are typically around 9-14C (48-57F).
However, spring is a transition season and tends to bring big temperature swings meaning spells of warm weather are expected - along with some colder periods.
It is very unlikely that we will challenge the UK's highest April temperature on record: 29.4C (84.9F) at Camden Square (London) on 16 April 1949.
The settled start to April comes after what has been an unusually dry March for most of the UK.
Met Office data shows that, up until 29 March, England and Wales overall had received just 26% of the typical March rainfall.
Northern Ireland had seen 32% of its average, with Scotland receiving 64% of its normal total for the month.
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers / GeordieCanary
Figures suggest parts of eastern England may have had their sunniest March on record
Will it last for the weekend?
Cooler conditions are expected to spread southwards over the weekend with temperatures returning closer to the seasonal average.
However, high pressure looks likely to remain in the vicinity meaning many places will stay dry.
Southern and western parts should continue to see lots of sunshine but more cloud is expected in the north and east of the UK.
You can keep up to date with your local weather prospects on the BBC Weather website and app.
