Hot weather forecast: Heat maps show where 23C hits as Caribbean jet stream lands in hours

of hot air is set to hit the UK in the coming hours bringing soaring temperatures and the perfect weather for a rum cocktail in the sunshine. Britain has basked under relatively cloudless skies for more than a week now, but a cool breeze has kept temperatures cooler and nights have not been warm.

of the UK, especially in northeastern England and Scotland, could enjoy the mercury hitting 23C, potentially encouraging millions to get out to their gardens, go to parks or hit the beach, this weekend. New maps from Netweather.tv and WXCharts show a plume of warm air drifting across the Atlantic and milder temperatures driven by the Gulf Stream, the powerful undersea current which runs from the Caribbean towards the UK and Western Europe.

Balmy conditions are forecast to persist through Friday, but the said change was expected over the weekend.

Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said: "Warm and dry weather continues for much of the UK this week, but we'll see a shift in where the highest temperatures will be over the next few days.

"Those living along North Sea coasts, who have so far had generally lower temperatures and more cloud at times, will start to see the higher temperatures on Thursday, possibly reaching as high as 23C in eastern Scotland and northeast England. This is due to a shift in the dominant wind direction from the east to the west."

The weather agency added that largely dry and fine conditions will continue for the vast majority on Friday, with plenty of sunshine and highs of around 23C possible in southern England and Wales.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Mark Sidaway said: "The high pressure that has been responsible for our recent high temperatures gradually shifts away over the weekend, as more of an unsettled regime begins to take charge and introduces more frequent rain and cloud, as well as a drop in temperatures.

"Those in the far northwest will see the first of the rain late on Friday and into Saturday, and while Saturday will start dry for much of the UK, we are likely to see areas of showers moving in from the south later in the day, although this aspect is still quite uncertain. However, by Sunday fresher conditions with showers are expected to move in from the west."

Today:

Low cloud, mist and fog clearing to leave a dry and sunny day for most, however cloud lingering across the far southeast into the afternoon. Breezy in the far northwest, but light winds elsewhere. Feeling warm, especially in the east.

Tonight:

Many places dry and clear with some fog and frost patches developing, mainly in southern and central areas. Cloudier and breezy in northwest Scotland with patchy drizzle.

Friday:

Early low cloud and fog clearing to leave a dry, warm and sunny day for many. Remaining cloudy with rain in the far northwest at times.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Dry to start on Saturday, but increasingly cloudy with showery rain in the northwest, and far south later. Turning cooler with sunny spells and showers on Sunday and Monday.