BRITS are basking in glorious 24C sunshine today – but thunderstorms are just around the corner.
While the south east of England could see the mercury rise as high as 25C by 4pm today, a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms comes into effect at 12pm on Sunday.
Much of the west of England and Wales can expect spray and sudden flooding leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures, the Met Office warns.
There is also a chance of delays and cancellations to public transport systems where flooding or lightning strikes occur.
According to the Met Office, power cuts are also a possibility.
The yellow weather warning comes into effect from 12pm on Sunday, ending at 10pm.
But ahead of the misery, today’s weather began with milder temperatures of around 19C, and is heating up this afternoon.
Brits have packed out parks and beaches to make the most of the sunny weather, with families seen strolling along the sand and some adventurous paddleboarders braving the water at Tynemouth Longsands.
London has already hit 23C today.
Saturday is also set to see enjoyable weather and Sunday will also be hot – ahead of the thunderstorms.
The following days will see the temperature drop and Brits have been told to expect showers, longer spells of rain and increased winds, by the Met Office.
Thunderstorms are expected across much of the UK and rainfall amounts could be above the average in a lot of areas.
Those living on the coast can expect strong winds throughout next week.
Temperatures won’t hit the same highs we’ve enjoyed this week and it’s expected to fall closer to the average for May.
It will feel rather cold in places where it remains damp and cloudy but will be a lot warmer during any sunny spells.
The Met Office predicts the weather will continue to be unsettled, with more showers till the end of the month.
Into early June conditions are set to improve with an increase in temperature and sunnier intervals, according to forecasters.
It comes after Brits were finally treated to summer weather this week.
Several places hit top temperatures including London and Throckmorton, outside Worcester.
Many others across the Midlands, central Wales, and the South also basked in the sun as they had balmy temperatures in the low 20s.
Sunbathers were snapped taking a dip at London’s Hamstead heath, while others could be seen basking in the sunshine at Victoria Tower Gardens.
The high pressure brought “plenty of sunny spells” which saw temperatures hit 26C.
Forecasters say the weather is going to stay sunny and hot tomorrow for most of the country.
Once the sunshine has passed temperatures could drop to as low 16C next week.
Temperatures today have hit 24C in Cambridge with Monmouth, Bristol and Guilford all also having gorgeous conditions.
Full long range forecast
Today:
Morning mist and fog patches will soon clear to leave a fine warm day, with plenty of sunshine across the country.
Perhaps cloudier at times across the far northeast of Scotland, with any early rain quickly clearing from here.
Tonight:
Plenty of evening sunshine, then dry overnight with prolonged clear spells. With light winds, there will be some mist and fog patches forming in places.
Saturday:
A warm sunny day for many, though some patchy coastal mist is possible in places.
A few heavy afternoon showers or thunderstorms developing across northern England and southern Scotland.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
A warm and humid day on Sunday, with an increasing risk of thunderstorms.
Turning cooler through Monday and Tuesday, with showers and longer spells of rain.
Winds increasing too.
Tuesday 14 May – Thursday 23 May
The weather is expected to change from the current warm and settled conditions, with a return to an unsettled and showery pattern as low pressure comes to dominate.
Rain and showers, locally heavy and thundery, are expected across much of the United Kingdom.
Rainfall amounts could be above average in many areas, most likely where showers merge with each other and become very slow-moving.
Winds could be fresh at times, especially near heavier showers and also along coasts.
Temperatures will not be as high as in the preceding week and are expected to fall closer to average for May, and feeling rather cold where it remains damp and cloudy.
However, it will feel much warmer in any sunny spells.
Friday 24 May – Friday 7 June
At the start of this period, the weather will probably continue to be fairly unsettled, with rain or showers for many.
There will also be some sunny spells between, with slightly-above average temperatures.
Around the end of May and into early June there are some tentative signs that conditions could become a little more settled, however, this does not rule out further spells of rain or showers moving through at times.
As we head from late spring and into early summer, it will naturally feel warm in any sunshine, especially when winds fall light.
