Locked-down Britons are hitting the beach to bask in 82F (28C) sunshine on the hottest day of the year so far today, before rain and thunderstorms are set to hit the nation tomorrow.
Sunbathers made the most of their new-found freedom following the easing of lockdown restrictions as London’s St James’s Park saw a high of 79.16F (26.2C) on Tuesday – beating 2020’s previous top temperature of 78.8F (26C) set last month.
The sunshine is set to continue for most of the UK on Wednesday, with the mercury expected to hit 82F (28C).
But despite the dry weather, there is an outside chance the UK could see an isolated shower in East Anglia over the afternoon.
A paddle boarder pictured at Branksome beach in Dorset early this morning, as Britons are set to bask in the hottest day of the year so far as temperatures are forecast to hit 82F, with London’s St James’s Park seeing a high of 79.16F (26.2C) on Tuesday
A jogger takes their daily exercise early this morning at Branksome beach in Dorset. Despite the dry weather, there is an outside chance the UK could see an isolated shower in East Anglia over Wednesday afternoon
A pair go swimming in the scorching temperatures early this morning at Branksome beach in Dorset. Sunbathers have been making the most of their new-found freedom following the easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions
Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: ‘There will be a bit of a grey, misty start for some first thing but that will quickly burn away.
‘The vast majority of the UK will have a dry day with sunny spells, if not blue skies all day for some.’
He predicted the hottest day of the year so far, with highs of 82F (28C) in the London area.
BBC’s Carol Kirkwood forecast the hottest temperatures to spread from Yorkshire towards the south-east, predicting highs of 84F (29C).
She said: ‘The highest temperatures from Yorkshire down this east coast, towards East Anglia and the south-east, where we could hit 28C (82F) or 29C (84F) today, making it the warmest day of the year so far.’
Ms Kirkwood added: ‘If you’re looking for rain in today’s forecast there’s not much around. In fact the only place really where we’re likely to see it is the far north of Scotland.
Two people stand on the rocks before going for an early morning dip in the sunshine at Branksome beach in Dorset this morning. It comes as sunbathers make the most of their new-found freedom, as lockdown restrictions are eased
A kayaker takes to the water as they enjoy the early sunshine at Branksome beach in Dorset today. Coral bookmakers is as short as 1-4 for 86F (30C) or higher being recorded in the UK this week
Three paddle boarders make the most of the sunshine this morning at Branksome beach in Dorset. Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said the ‘vast majority’ of the UK will have a ‘dry day with sunny spells’
Joggers and cyclists take their daily exercise at Branksome beach in Dorset early this morning. BBC’s Carol Kirkwood forecast the hottest temperatures to spread from Yorkshire towards the south-east
‘For most of us it’s going to be dry, it’s going to be sunny and it’s also going to be very warm.
‘High pressure is firmly in charge of our weather at the moment, keeping those fronts at bay.
‘We’ve also seen some fog through the morning but most of that has gone now, and we also hang on to a little bit of sea fog across parts of the Irish Sea coastline and parts of western Scotland.’
There is a risk of thunderstorms on Thursday in east and south-east England as a band of rain pushes eastwards.
Temperatures are predicted to cool from 75F (24C) or 77F (25C) before the rain to a fresher 63F (17C) to 70F (21C) on Friday.
Two people out on the water at Branksome beach in Dorset this morning. Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst predicted the hottest day of the year so far, with highs of 82F (28C) in the London area
One man goes fishing while enjoying the sunshine this morning at Branksome beach in Dorset, with a paddle boarder seen in the background. There is a risk of thunderstorms on Thursday in east and south-east England
A jogger wears sunglasses while taking their daily exercise this morning at Branksome beach in Dorset as lockdown restrictions are eased across the country and Britons venture outdoors to enjoy the scorching sunshine
Three paddle boarders enjoy the sunshine today at Branksome beach in Dorset. Temperatures are predicted to cool from 75F (24C) or 77F (25C) before the rain to a fresher 63F (17C) to 70F (21C) on Friday
Mr Dewhurst predicted a windy start to the weekend with sunshine and showers for many with the weather gradually turning drier from the south on Sunday and into bank holiday Monday.
Meanwhile, Coral bookmakers is as short as 1-4 for 86F (30C) or higher being recorded in the UK this week.
The firm is also 5-4 for this month to end as the hottest May on record and next month at 6-4 to be a record hot June.
Coral’s John Hill said: ‘The prospects of a sweltering summer are increasing all the time and that has forced us to slash the odds on there being a hosepipe ban in the UK this year.
‘It feels like summer has come early and our betting suggests temperatures will reach 30C (86F) at some point this week.’