FLOCKDOWN
UK weather forecast – Brits bask on beaches in 27C sizzler…but remember, no parties until Monday!
by Britta Zeltmann
SUN-seekers flocked to parks and beaches up and down the country today as temperatures soared to 27C.
It comes after Boris Johnson dished out a host of new freedoms last night - telling Brits they will have to wait until Monday to enjoy them.
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The PM confirmed friends and families will be able to meet in socially distanced groups of six from Monday - while Scots could meet seven other pals from today.
It means those cooped up in England and Wales will have to wait until next week to soak up the sun with their loved ones - despite highs of 26C expected this weekend.
Sunbathers took to the seas at Bournemouth beach today, as Scots made the most of their new found freedoms at Portobello Beach near Edinburgh.
ONE WEEKEND TO GO
Glasgow's Botanical Gardens saw several lap up the rays with socially distanced picnics and leisurely strolls as the Meadows in Edinburgh welcomed friends meeting from a far.
In Kinlochewe, Scotland,the mercury surged to 27.6C - Scotland's hottest day of the year so far.
While Scotland's temperatures are likely to dip by a degree or two tomorrow, the heat is likely to rise in England - where social distancing could be tested.
A Met Office Spokesperson told the Sun Online: “We could get highs of 26 on both Saturday and Sunday.
"By Tuesday and Wednesday that’s when things are likely to be a bit hotter, particularly in South East - East Anglia, London and into Kent. Here we could see highs of 28 or 29."
RECORD HEAT
The warmest day of the year so far has been 28.2 in England, meaning next week could trump this year's record day.
The Met Office has declared a dry, sunny and very warm day for inland areas tomorrow - although an onshore breeze will keep some east facing coasts cooler.
Sunday will see a similar blast, with highs of 26C expected across the country.
It comes as Britain records the highest spring on record - with 573 hours of sunshine so far.
According to the Met Office, the UK has not seen this much sunshine in spring since records began in 1929 - clocking up much more rays than the previous sunniest spring in 1948.
Dr Mark McCarthy, from the Met Office’s National Climate Information Centre, said: “Much of spring has been dominated by successive areas of high pressure, leading to sunny and relatively dry conditions.
“However, Spring 2020 has been very dry, and May in parts of England has been exceptionally dry. As it stands up to May 27, for England, May 2020 is the driest May on record since 1896, with less than 10mm rain falling across England on average.”
