THOUSANDS of Brits have been swarming to beaches today to soak up the glorious rays – days before temperatures hit 34C.
Families have packed out seaside resorts in the likes of Lyme Regis and Bournemouth in Dorset amid the unseasonably warm June heat, and it’s due to continue for days to come.
Revellers on Bournemouth beach this afternoon[/caption]
People pack out the beach at Lyme Regis, Dorset, today[/caption]
It comes as thousands of music lovers have flocked to the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, with organisers having warned attendees to check its heat advice.
An amber heat alert has been issued for parts of England – with possible highs of 34C on Monday, which could then prove to be the hottest June day on record.
The current record stands at 35.6C and was set in 1976.
On average, temperatures usually max out for most of the UK this month at around 18C, with highs of 21C in the south.
Met Office meteorologist Ellie Glaisyer said of Saturday the heat “continues to build”, particularly in the south and southeast, thanks to an area of high pressure.
However, a separate weather front is bringing some murky and skies and cloud for many across the country today, as well as “outbreaks of patchy rain and drizzle” – specifically in central areas, as well as blustery showers in the north, including Scotland, said Ms Glaisyer.
“But really feeling rather warm across the very far southeast, perhaps even hot in places, particularly where those winds are little bit lighter.
“We could see highs of 29, 30, perhaps even 31C.”
And despite some further rain in some areas of the UK, the forecaster said temperatures will remain mild overnight, only dropping to the high teens across much of the country.
Sunday is expected to see “plenty of dry weather around, plenty of sunshine, but again feeling really quite warm across the southeast”, she continued.
Met Office maps show temperatures hitting 30C in London by 4pm on Sunday, while Birmingham will also see highs of 28C, and Hull 27C.
Ms Glaisyer said the mercury could again potentially 31C in parts.
A heatwave in the UK is met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days, with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature thresholds.
Across the north and west of the UK this is 25C, and across Greater London and the Home Counties, 28C.
5-day weather forecast
Today:
Rather cloudy across western England and Wales with outbreaks of rain over the hills.
Brightening up elsewhere with sunshine developing into the afternoon.
Breezy for many, providing slight relief to the hot and humid conditions across central and eastern areas.
Tonight:
Most areas dry with clear spells. Cloudier in the west and more generally across northern England with occasional drizzle.
Muggy for England and Wales; fresher for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Sunday:
Cloud and drizzle drifting northwards, reaching northwest Scotland by evening.
Chance of an afternoon shower across Northern Ireland as it brightens. Dry elsewhere and feeling warmer owing to lighter winds.
Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:
Hot and sunny for southern and eastern areas on Monday; cloudier and breezier in the northwest with rain.
This cloud and rain gradually moving southeast, introducing fresher conditions by mid-week.
A Glastonbury Festival goer shields from the sun today[/caption]
