BRITS will bask in glorious 20C sunshine after thunderstorms and heavy rain drenched the UK.
The Met Office issued “danger to life” warnings this week as thunderstorms struck in swathes.
©Graham HuntBrits are set to enjoy the sunshine today – as they did in Lyme Regis in Dorset yesterday[/caption]
LNPLondoners flocked to St James’s Park in central London to soak in yesterday’s rays[/caption]
LNPDog walkers were out in London’s Richmond Park, too[/caption]
The Met Office says temperatures will hit a balmy 20C around 5pm today
It urged Brits to take care as downpours threatened fast-flowing and deep floodwater.
But forecasters say the weather is set to improve as the sunshine burns through the morning mist – with Brits likely enjoy a balmy 20C.
Today is looking to be a mostly dry day with sunny spells, the Met Office said.
London, Reading and Birmingham are set to bask in the 20C rays around 5pm this evening, while the likes of Leeds, Sheffield, York, Hereford, Wrexham and Cambridge will enjoy a balmy 19C.
The likes of Pembroke, Brighton and Fort William in Scotland will be treated to a mere 13C at the same time.
Looking ahead to tomorrow, the Met Office said: “The far north remaining rather cloudy with some patchy rain, otherwise a mostly fine and dry day across the UK with spells of sunshine.
“Feeling warm for many.”
The mercury is forecast to hit the high teens and early 20s for much of the south during this week.
It’s set to rise to a balmy 23C in London on Saturday and Sunday.
However, there’s a chance more thunder is on the way early next week.
The Met Office said of Sunday to Tuesday next week: “Sunday will likely be the last widely dry and fine day for a while, with warm sunshine for most, especially in parts of the south and east where temperatures similar to preceding days, around the mid-20’s – warmer than average for the time of year.
“However, coastal eastern areas could be cloudier and cooler, with an onshore breeze taking the edge off the higher temperatures. After Sunday, the weather is expected to switch back to become changeable across the country, with further spells of rain and showers expected.
“Rainfall amounts could be above average in most areas. It is also possible that rain will be heavy at times, and any showers could turn thundery.
“Temperatures are also expected to fall closer to average for May.”
Much of the country soaked in the rays over the Bank Holiday weekend, with crowds flocking to beaches after the sun finally came out in different parts of the country.
Beaches like Brighton were packed with people who wanted to get near the sea on Sunday while the temperatures were warm.
Miss Lancashire Amy Blyth, 22, even donned her bikini in Coventry while the sun was out.
And it was all blue skies in Sheerness, Kent for the Blaze class sailing dinghy Eastern Championships event hosted by Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club.
Met Office’s five-day & long-range forecast:
Today:
A murky start in places, but cloud will break up to give a largely dry day with sunny spells for many. A band of cloud and outbreaks of rain however will move into northwestern Scotland and Northern Ireland later.
Tonight:
Cloudy and breezy with occasional rain across parts of Scotland, and initially Northern Ireland. Elsewhere, dry with clear spells but some mist, fog and low cloud will return.
Thursday:
The far north remaining rather cloudy with some patchy rain, otherwise a mostly fine and dry day across the UK with spells of sunshine. Feeling warm for many.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Staying mostly dry and fine with sunny spells, and feeling increasingly very warm. Western areas will turn cloudier on Sunday, with some showers developing later.
Sunday May 12 – Tuesday May 21:
Sunday will likely be the last widely dry and fine day for a while, with warm sunshine for most, especially in parts of the south and east where temperatures similar to preceding days, around the mid-20’s – warmer than average for the time of year. However, coastal eastern areas could be cloudier and cooler, with an onshore breeze taking the edge off the higher temperatures. After Sunday, the weather is expected to switch back to become changeable across the country, with further spells of rain and showers expected. Rainfall amounts could be above average in most areas. It is also possible that rain will be heavy at times, and any showers could turn thundery. Temperatures are also expected to fall closer to average for May.
Wednesday May 22 – Wednesday June 5:
For the end of May and the start of June, it will probably start off fairly unsettled with rain or showers for many, but also some sunny spells between, and slightly-above average temperatures. Through the period there are some tentative signs that conditions could become a little more settled in the south and east, with most of the rain reserved for the north and west. As we head into late spring and early summer, it will naturally feel warm in any sunshine, especially when winds fall light.