RECORD MONTH

UK weather forecast – No more rain until JUNE as country on track for driest May since 1896

A NEW record of the direst month of May on record since 1896 is about to be hit in England, according to the Met Office.

With no wet weather forecast until June, this Spring is also likely to be crowned the fourth driest since rainfall records began in 1862.

Statistics collated by the Met Office show England has so far seen just 9.5mm of rain this month.

And with no more forecast between now and June 1 the all-time May record of 11.3mm set 124 years ago is almost certain to fall.

Statistics also show just 86.8mm of rain fell between March and May - making it England's fourth driest Spring behind 1893, 2011 and 1990.

The Met Office said the east and north east had been the driest region of all with 59.3mm of rain - just over a third of its seasonal average.

Forecaster Nicola Maxey said the latest figures were collected on Bank Holiday Monday - with one more week of May still to go.

But she added: "There is little in the way of rain on the forecast for the next few days.

"It's going to be sunny and warm and temperatures are going to continue rising into the weekend with 83F (28C) expected by Friday.

"By Sunday, the last day of the month, we could even see the hottest day of the year so far as temperatures creep up.

"Chances are we are going to see the all-time record broken - making this month England's driest May since 1896."

Figures for the UK as a whole show 31.5mm of rain has fallen so far this May. The record - also set in 1896 - is 19.1mm.

It comes as Britain's beaches were packed again yesterday as the heatwave raged on across the country.

Thousands more were tempted out of their homes as the mercury rose above 80F (26C) for the second day running.

Beaches at Bournemouth, Brighton and Margate were rammed during what would have been the half-term holiday.

Parks and beauty spots were also packed whilst swimmers took to the water in Tynemouth, Northumberland.

Bookies Coral now reckon this Summer is odds on at 1-2 to be the hottest since records began.

But there are growing fears the continuing warm weather and resulting large crowds could spark a second spike in Covid-19 infections.

Police are urging people to exercise caution and abide by social distancing rules.

It comes after the lockdown was gradually eased by Boris Johnson.

Most have continued to follow the guidelines but cops say an increasing number are pushing the boundaries.

Shocking video footage taken on Monday showed a mass brawl on the beach in Viking Bay, Broadstairs, Kent.

Punches were thrown as they scuffled in the sand in front of horrified families.

And cops were called to a lido in north London to reports of one large group gathering.