Temperatures in Lancashire set to reach 25°C before being followed by thunderstorms across the UK

High temperatures and plenty of warm sunshine are expected across the UK today (May 19) and tomorrow (May 20), followed by thunderstorms on Thursday (May 21) and cooler, more unsettled weather this weekend.

It is likely to be the hottest day of the year so far in many parts on Wednesday (May 20), according to the Met Office.

Temperatures are expected to reach above 20°C across the UK, with Lancashire predicted to reach temperatures of up to 25°C.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen, said: “High pressure and southerly winds will bring warm weather for everyone over the next few days, with temperatures today fairly widely reaching 20 to 22°C and up to 26°C in southeast England.

"Tomorrow will be a touch warmer, with temperatures likely peaking at around 28-29°C in the southeast.”

With cloudless skies across many parts of the UK and high UV levels the Met Office says it's important to protect yourself from the sun if outside.

Commenting on the risk of thunderstorms on Thursday, Paul added: “Thursday will be another warm day with hazy sunshine although there is the potential for thunderstorms to develop across England, Wales and southeast Scotland.

"It is across east and southeast England where these are most likely, with frequent lightning, hail and torrential downpours of up to 40mm in a few hours all possible."

Following Thursday’s thunderstorms it’ll turn cooler and more unsettled for everyone, as an Atlantic low pressure moves close to the UK.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Matthew Lehnert, said: “On Friday (May 22), a deep area of low pressure will track to the northwest of the UK.

"It will bring a spell of strong winds and a risk of gales to parts of Northern Ireland, northern England and much of Scotland.

"Along with strong winds, it’ll turn showery over the weekend and temperatures much cooler than earlier in the week, returning to around average for this time of year."

Light rain changing to cloudy skies has been predicted in Lancashire on Friday (May 22).

As the area of low pressure moves away to the north, there are signs that more settled conditions will develop across the south through the latter half of the weekend and perhaps extend to other areas through next week.