UK weather: Brits flock to beaches to soak up first sign of sun in WEEKS – while others brace for ‘thundery downpours’
BRITS have been flocking to beaches to soak up the first sign of sun in weeks – but others have been warned to brace for thundery downpours.
The sun has been shining in different parts of the country today, seeing the masses rush outdoors to make the most of it.
Beaches like Brighton were packed with people who wanted to get near the sea 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.
But, the weather is set to turn – with some warned to prepare for thunder.
The Met Office said highs of 20C are expected compared to the 17C average for this time of year, but where cloud persists 14C to 15C is more likely.
Meteorologist Kathryn Chalk said the thunder is likely in across north eastern parts of Scotland.
Speaking of today, the forecaster said: “Through the rest of the afternoon this cloud and rain is going to be continuing to push its way northwards affecting parts of South Wales and across the southern parts of England as well.
“Cloudy conditions remain across Northern Ireland, parts of Scotland as well with showery outbreaks of rain.
“Some of these showers could turn quite heavy at times, possibly thundery across north eastern parts of Scotland, but we have got a slither of something a little bit drier and brighter with some sunny breaks here.
“Where we see the sunniest breaks that’s where we’re going to see the warmest temperatures with highs of up to 18C possibly even 19C with temperatures around average elsewhere in the cloud and rain.”
A Met Office spokesperson added: “In the places that stay dry, the sunny temperatures will be a little above average – generally on the warm side in the sunshine.
“We’re looking at a mixed picture across the UK again: largely fairly cloudy skies across the northern half of the UK again, but I’m more hopeful as the day goes on the cloud will break a bit.”
Met Office's five-day forecast
Today:
Often rather cloudy in the north with some showery rain, heaviest across Scotland. Outbreaks of rain also affecting parts of southwest England and Wales. Warm sunshine and isolated showers elsewhere.
Tonight:
Cloudy in the north with outbreaks of rain and heavy showers later. Showers fading in the south, although staying damp in the southwest. Mist and fog under any clear spells.
Monday:
A rather cloudy start in the north with some brighter spells and heavy showers developing. Sunny spells further south with heavy showers and thunderstorms through the afternoon.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:
Showers fewer in number and less heavy on Tuesday. Staying mostly fine and warm through the middle of the week, though some rain far northwest at times.
Monday’s forecast was less certain in southern counties.
England and Wales should be largely dry with some sunny spells and a few scattered showers.
Heavy rain could moves across Scotland and northern England in the afternoon.
The UK was hit with thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in the week before the long weekend
But Wednesday and Thursday were the hottest days of the year so far.
A peak temperature of 23.4C was recorded in Santon Downham in Suffolk, while in Scotland, the mercury hit 22.1C in Kinlochewe and Achnagart in the north Highlands.
It comes as Brits were warned travel chaos could be on the horizon for the UK as 16million drivers try to get home.
