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Britain could be heading for its hottest weather of the year so far as weather maps suggest temperatures may rocket towards 29C later this month in some areas, with 33 counties forecast to bask in highs of 25C or above. New weather charts from WXCharts, which uses Met Desk data, suggest a major warm plume will spread across England and Wales on May 25. Large parts of southern and central England are expected to bask in temperatures well into the mid to high 20s, the maps suggest. And, according to the charts, some areas around London, the South East and East Anglia could even flirt with 29C by the afternoon and evening that day.

The hottest conditions are currently forecast between 12pm and 6pm, with the warmest air pushing north from mainland Europe. Maps show much of the UK turning orange and red, with temperatures surging far above average for May in the charts. While Scotland and northern coastal areas are likely to stay cooler, much of England and Wales could see widespread sunshine and very warm conditions, the maps generated on May 17 suggest. Cities including London, Birmingham, Norwich and Southampton are among the areas expected to feel the strongest heat, if the charts are correct.

-Greater London

-Kent

-Essex

-Surrey

-Sussex

-Hampshire

-Berkshire

-Buckinghamshire

-Oxfordshire

-Hertfordshire

-Bedfordshire

-Cambridgeshire

-Norfolk

-Suffolk

-Northamptonshire

-Leicestershire

-Nottinghamshire

-Lincolnshire

-Warwickshire

-Worcestershire

-Gloucestershire

-Wiltshire

-Somerset

-Devon

-Dorset

-Staffordshire

-Derbyshire

-Cheshire

-Greater Manchester

-South Yorkshire

-Bristol

-Herefordshire

The warmest temperatures on the maps appear concentrated across eastern and southeastern England, where several areas are shown between 27C and 29C.

Parts of East Anglia, the Midlands and the Home Counties are also expected to see highs comfortably above 25C during the afternoon peak, the maps suggest.

Further west, temperatures are forecast to stay slightly lower but could still climb into the low to mid 20s across Wales and southwest England.

Northern England may also enjoy warmer conditions, with Manchester, Sheffield and surrounding areas potentially reaching the mid 20s.

Scotland is expected to remain noticeably cooler, with many areas staying between 13C and 18C according to the latest charts.

The WXCharts forecast are likely still subject to change, but as they stand the latest projections point towards the warmest days of 2026 so far for many parts of the UK.

Separately the Met Office's long-range forecast, which looks at the days between May 21 and 30, mentions spells of fine weather during this period.

It read: "Continuing to be changeable at first for the north west, with low pressure often close by to the north of the UK, bringing rain and showers. Across the south, high pressure is expected to quickly start to build near to the UK towards the Bank Holiday weekend, bringing some fine and dry conditions, with temperatures rising accordingly for some.

"Thereafter, high pressure is expected to broadly remain the dominant influence across much of the UK, with spells of fine weather. Low pressure will be positioned to the north, and will at times allow some rain or showers, this mostly to the north.

"Overall across the period, temperatures are expected to be above normal with winds often light for many."