What the Met Office says about the chances of a mini heatwave this week

After a mixed bag of weather recently, reports have emerged of a mini-heatwave hitting the UK this week. Temperatures of up to 21C have been forecast in some places in the south, with dry conditions.

London is expected to bask in nine consecutive days of warmth, with the weather hotting up from Thursday, May 5. Temperatures will range between 18C and 20C in and around the capital, with no rain showers in-between.

But does this constitute a heatwave - and if so, will it reach the north west? A Met Office spokesperson told the Manchester Evening News that the conditions 'certainly won’t be what the Met Office would technically define as a heatwave.'

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He added: "But there will be some fine and dry weather on Thursday in particular which could see temperatures of up to 20 or 21C in the south. Most of the north west should be dry albeit breezy and cloudy but might see a shower in further northern areas."

Temperatures in Manchester are forecast to hit highs of 17C on Thursday and it will be a cloudy but settled day with some sunny spells. The Met Office spokesman continued: "Friday will bring more showers for everyone, but the weekend will see more settled and fine weather. Temperatures probably not as warm as Thursday."

Manchester can expect more rain on Friday, with light showers forecast from after lunchtime and into the evening. The rest of the weekend will remain cloudy but the rain will stay at bay, with highs of 17C and some sunny intervals on Sunday afternoon.

The long-range forecast for the north west, from Saturday 7 May to Monday 16 May, reads: "Settled weather is