TEMPERATURES are set to rise this week as more spring-like weather is ushered in.

Warmer weather will take hold thanks to high pressure moving in from the east.

However, thunderstorms could be on the cards this week as temperatures rise, a Dorset-based weather enthusiast has said.

Jay Bournemouth said: “Temperatures on the ground will correlate to mid/high teens to possibly low twenties, maybe even mid twenties, during the middle of the week.

“After next week has two scenarios, rather we go into a cold northerly again or further warm air will advect from Spain towards the UK. But there is a lot of uncertainty, so we will wait and see.

“Overall, starting May is expected to be much warmer with possible temperatures reaching the low twenties. However, the risk of thunderstorms is certainly there. Spring is definitely arriving.”

According to the Met Office, temperatures could reach 16C on Wednesday, May 1.

However, heavy rain is forecast from 6pm until 7am on Thursday.

The rest of the week will be drier and more settled with highs of 14C and 15C expected.

Looking ahead over the bank holiday weekend, the Met Office says: "An uncertain period through the bank holiday weekend with the most likely result a warm but cloudy day Sunday with a few light showers, then increasingly cloudy with rain spreading from the west, though weakening as it does so, however there remains a broad spread of solutions with the threat of showery spells a common feature.

"Into the new week all areas are likely to see a mixture of showery periods or spells of rain, though generally drier conditions expected to develop through the following week away from the northeast as high pressure develops to the west.

"Sunniest conditions across the south, cloudiest in the north and east.

"Temperatures mostly a little above normal for early May."