BRITAIN is set to bake in a mini-heatwave as temperatures soar to 23C in parts of the country today.
Sunshine and high temperatures are expected across the country, but the balmy weather will be short-lived, with thundery showers forecast for the weekend.
The weather is expected to reach sweltering levels this afternoon, with the Met Office forecasting that London will bask in 23C heat, and Cardiff will hit 22C.
The Midlands and some of the north of England will also see warm weather, with Birmingham enjoying 19C heat, and Manchester 20C.
The UK has had fine weather so far this week, but was slammed with a -4C ice blast in some parts of the country on Monday.
London and the South East enjoyed temperatures of 17C yesterday, and Cardiff a slightly hotter 18C.
Luke Miall, a Met Office meteorologist, said areas between London and Manchester would enjoy the best weather this afternoon.
He said: “From London to Manchester, including Cardiff, we could see temperatures exceed 20C quite widely.
“Temperatures generally tend to peak at three or four o’clock in the afternoon.”
However, the forecaster also warned that there would be a sharp chill on the Scottish coasts and in the north east of England.
He said: “We will see an easterly breeze that will bring in colder air from the North Sea.
“There will be quite a significantly different feel to the weather.”
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It comes after dozens of Brits hit the beach in defiance of coronavirus lockdown rules over the bank holiday weekend, as the country roasted in 24C heat.
Good Friday’s warm weather proved to be too tempting for some who ignored government guidance and decided to bask in the sun.
We don’t normally big up bad weather, but in this scenario it’s a bit of a positive.
Met Office meteorologist Luke Miall
Police and military boats were called in to patrol beaches on the south coast as urged sunbathers to leave.
Temperatures will drop for good after today's heatwave, however, with thundery showers taking its place.
Rain is expected to come from the south west of England tomorrow, and will spread across the south during the day.
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Mr Miall said: “The weekend is looking a lot more mixed. The first bout of wet weather comes up through the South on Friday, and England and Wales will see the threat of further showers.
“The best of the dry weather will likely be in the north west of the country, in Scotland and Northern Ireland.”
The forecaster said the dry weather would be a relief for a Britain in lockdown: “We don’t normally big up bad weather, but in this scenario it’s a bit of a positive.”