- Temperatures in the south could exceed record today set last Saturday of 20.9C
The UK is set for its warmest day of the year so far today, with temperatures to soar north of 20C in London.
Large parts of south and east England and Wales are in for a fine weekend, with the mercury possibly set to beat the 20.9C record set last Saturday.
Forecasters said the bright spell was a result of warmer air across the country and an area of high pressure just south of Britain.
While wetter conditions have hit northern England and Scotland this morning, warmer and drier weather is on the way with thermometers reaching 17C in north east England on Saturday.
Some showers will persist however in Northern Ireland and Scotland on Saturday, with the potential for some ‘localised issues’, while north west England could be hit by strong gusty winds.
On Thursday Britons enjoyed the first of what could be three consecutive days of 20C heat with a splash in the sea, despite sea temperatures of just 7C.
People relax in the warming sunshine at St James Park in central London
A park-goer reading a book in the shade under a tree
A man basks in the sunshine as temperatures surpassed 20C in the capital on Friday
MAKING A SPLASH: A dog takes a dip in the sea to cool down while holding a tennis ball in its mouth
Beach goers pictured enjoying blue skies and sunshine at Bournemouth Beach
Zip-liners zoom over the sea at Bournemouth Pier, as much of south England enjoyed sunshine and warm temperatures for the time of year
Britain’s warm spell this week is set to continue today with the mercury hitting as high as 20C in London and the south east
Wetter conditions are expected across the north of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, while most of south England and Wales are in for a fine sunny day
South England and Wales are set to have another fine day on Friday with temperatures reaching to 20C
Pictured: Sunrise in Portsmouth, Dorset. Clear conditions are expected on Friday, with temperatures possibly set to exceed the current record for this year set last Saturday
The sun rising around Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower on Friday morning
Pictured: The sun breaking through clouds this morning over Dunsden, Oxfordshire
But despite the mixed weather, temperatures are expected to stay mild for the time of year, with 14C expected even in places far north as Aberdeen.
The Met Office said that temperatures will feel closer to the April average by Sunday, however, with most areas feeling notably cooler from around 10C to 15C.
Metereologist Alex Burkill said that the south east and London would get a ‘decent amount of sunshine’ on Saturday.
He warned next week may get off to a showery start for many, with rain expected in the north and Scotland on Sunday evening, making its way towards the south east.
A three-day forecast shows a sunny day for most on Friday, with a cloudier outlook for Saturday and Sunday
Britons enjoyed the warm weather on Thursday with a dip in the sea, with temperatures set to exceed 20C for three consecutive days
An early display of bluebells in Chalet Woods at Wanstead Park, north east London
‘Next week does get off to a showery start for many of us and it is going to be fresher than through Friday and Saturday in particular.’
But looking further ahead, Britain may be in for its most ‘prolonged dry spell than we have seen for many weeks or months’ with some ‘promising signs’ of low pressure building from the west.
The bout of warmer weather may bring a challenge for some however, with pollen levels high in most of England, although just a few hayfever sufferers allergic to tree pollen will be affected.
