Temperatures in the English capital are forecast to hit 13C on Friday, the same as in the Spanish city, the Met Office has said.

But on Saturday, when London could reach 14C, the Spanish capital is set for a high of only 11C and the following day, the forecast is for 15C in London and 11C in Madrid.

On Monday, London may see 13C, while in Madrid, it could rise to 12C.

It's a sign of how conditions across the UK will improve over the long weekend, following a "typical mix of spring weather" in the build-up to Easter, the Met Office said.

What the weather is like in your area

Friday will see blustery showers, particularly in the south and west, while Saturday is set for more showers in southern and western areas, though with a growing chance of brighter spells further north and east.

Easter Sunday will see the best of the UK conditions, but only until later in the day when unsettled weather arrives from the south and continues into Monday.

Widely unsettled weather will dominate on the final day of the long Bank Holiday weekend, at least across southern areas, with the best of the conditions further north to begin with.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Helen Caughey said: "Showers will continue into the weekend, especially for southern and western areas.

"However, it is likely that we will see something of an improvement for most areas, with showers tending to become less frequent, and a better chance of longer spells of sunshine for eastern and northern areas in particular.

"It will also become less windy, and temperatures should start to trend upwards, feeling quite warm in any sunshine.

"More widely unsettled conditions look likely to return into Easter Monday."

Sky News weather producer Joanna Robinson agreed, predicting an improvement for most people between Friday and Sunday, as "showers become more scattered, winds ease and temperatures rise.

"Good Friday and Saturday will bring showers, some heavy and thundery, but they will become increasingly confined to the south and west.

She added: "Easter Sunday currently looks the best day. Many places will be dry, and there should be some pleasant spells of sunshine.

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Easter Monday brings the risk of more general rain, especially for the south.

"The wind should ease over the Easter weekend and temperatures will rise, so it shouldn't feel too bad. Temperatures will reach the mid-teens in the south on Easter Sunday," Robinson added.

Britons have been warned of long delays on their Easter getaways, with more than 14 million journeys expected on the roads and engineering works set to disrupt rail services.