The Met Office said temperatures could reach 27°C on Sunday – but thunderstorms will hit parts of the country in the afternoon
Britain is braced for its warmest weekend so far this year, with parts of the UK set to hit highs of 27°C.
London’s St James Park reached 24.6°C on Friday – the highest temperature of the year so far but the Met Office said that was “likely to be surpassed over the next couple days, with higher-than-average temperatures for many.”
The southeast of England could reach 26°C on Saturday and 27°C on Sunday, the forecaster said.
However, the far north of England and Scotland may see “isolated thunderstorms” or a handful of heavy showers on Saturday afternoon.
Great Western Railway, which serves beach hotspots including Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Swansea Bay, said it was expecting its busiest weekend of 2024 so far, as holidaymakers flock to the beach to soak up the sun.
“It’s too early to be able to confirm exact numbers, but we saw a surge of additional bookings on those traditional seaside branchlines on Saturday morning through gwr.com and our app,” a spokesperson told i.
Caption: People enjoying the sunny weather on Boscombe Beach in Bournemouth. Picture date: Saturday May 11, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
Photographer: Andrew Matthews
Provider: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
Source: PA
Copyright: PA
Caption: People row along the river Avon by St Nicholas’ Park in Warwick. Picture date: Saturday May 11, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jacob King/PA Wire
Photographer: Jacob King
Provider: Jacob King/PA Wire
Source: PA
Copyright: PA
“It’s great weather and it’s a trend that looks likely to continue throughout the day.”
The Met Office also said that after sun sets, “the Northern Lights are likely to become visible once again, especially across northern parts, but even further south may see the Aurora at times.”
But Sunday threatens to rain on beachgoers’ parades, with high temperatures breaking into heavy thunderstorms for many. This is because an area of low pressure is moving into the southwest.
The day will begin with a “fine start” for many, with some mist and low cloud along coastal areas of the northeast, according to the Met Office.
But cloud will gradually increase from the southwest, with the possibility of “intense downpours” bringing down up to 50 mm of rain in just a few hours.
Luke Hughes (left) at the Hanwell Hootie with his friends on Saturday, as temperatures soared. (Photo: Supplied)
“Heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely to break out on Sunday morning, most likely across southwest England and Wales, but possibly also across western Northern Ireland too. They’ll track steadily north through the afternoon whilst probably growing into larger clumps of rain before clearing Scotland overnight,” said Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Harris.
“Some intense downpours are possible in a few places, giving up to 30mm in less than hour and perhaps 40-50mm over two to three hours. Hail, frequent lightning strikes and strong wind gusts will be additional localised hazards.”
Luke Hughes, 30, goes to the Marshall Hanwell Hootie, a local music festival in West London, every year and says this is the “busiest he has seen it”, with a long queue for the ice cream.
“The whole community is out in their shorts and shades. I’m loving having a cold cider in the park with my friends,” he said.
Kieran, 27, decided to spend the sunny weekend visiting friends and seeing a gig in the coastal of Margate.
“This morning people were already there at the beach setting up windbreakers when we walked across the sand on our way to get breakfast,” he said. “It’s lovely weather, sunny but not too hot, perfect for a dip in a sea.”
Despite being wet and grey, April was the warmest month on record.