FLOCKDOWN
UK weather forecast – Scots hit the beach in 27C sizzler before it gets HOTTER next week
by Britta Zeltmann
SUN seekers flocked to parks and beaches up and down the country today as temperatures soared to 27C with lockdown restrictions easing in Scotland.
It comes after Boris Johnson urged Brits to avoid group gatherings where possible as he announced a host of new lockdown freedoms last night.
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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 can meet seven other pals from today.
It means cooped-up Brits will have to wait until Monday to soak up the sun with their loved ones - despite highs of 26C expected this weekend.
Locked down Brits took to the seas at Bournemouth beach, as Scots made the most of their new found freedoms at Portobello Beach near Edinburgh.
Glasgow's Botanical Gardens saw sun soakers lap up the rays with socially distanced picnics and leisurely strolls as the Meadows in Edinburgh saw friends meet from a far.
In Kinlochewe, Scotland, temperatures reached 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 - gearing up for a 29C scorcher next week.
A Met Office Spokesperson told the Sun Online: “We could get highs of 26 on both Saturday and Sunday.
HEATWAVE
"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."
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.”
Two friends meet in the Meadows in Edinburgh, Scotland as lockdown measures are eased
