Taking the plunge: Swimmers return to Hampstead Heath’s outdoor pools and St Alban’s Roman theatre reopen today as UK is set for weekend of 74F summer sun
- After days of cloudy and rainy weather, Britons will be cheered to know temperatures will rise this weekend
- The mercury could hit 74F (23C) this weekend, though forecasters say it could be even higher next week
- Meanwhile, bookmakers Coral also say it is odds on for this month to be the hottest July on record in the UK
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Swimmers have returned to Hampstead Heath’s outdoor pools for an early morning dip today as the UK is set for a sunny weekend with temperatures expected to hit 74F (23C).
Britons waking up to blue skies today went to the north London beauty spot for a swim on the first day of decent summer weather after a week of rain and murky skies.
Forecasters are predicting a ‘fine weekend’ as people across the country continue to enjoy the easing of coronavirus restrictions.
After days of downpours and clouds, the balmy weather is sure to see Britons flock to beaches and parks and enjoy barbecues and outdoor meet-ups.
And the mercury will continue rising with temperatures expected to soar as high as 74F (23C) over the coming week.
Bookmakers Coral also say it is odds on for this month to be the hottest July on record in the UK.
Swimmers enter the Hampstead Heath mixed bathing pond in London as it reopens to the public following the easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions across England
Britons waking up to blue skies today went to the north London beauty spot for a swim on the first day of decent summer weather after a week of rain and murky skies
Swimmers enter the Hampstead Heath mixed bathing pond in London as it reopens to the public following the easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions across England
A beautiful start to the day in Glastonbury, Somerset. Temperatures are set to soar to 25C over the next 10 days
Staycations could also be back on the menu, with temperatures said to particularly in Wales and the South West today and tomorrow .
Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern said: ‘A fine weekend to come for many of us, but for the rest of Friday still some heavy showers about, mainly in the north and the east, sunny spells otherwise, especially in the south and the west.
‘(Saturday) The best sunshine will be Wales and the south west and cloud will thin out again later in the afternoon. Temperatures reaching 22C, 23C, slightly warmer compared to Friday.
‘You can see how the cloud tends to thin out on Saturday evening again and a lovely evening once again for many places.’
‘Sunday looks fine for many but there will be some wet weather returning into the north west later in the day.’
Revealing the forecast for today, the Met Office added in a release: ‘A dry and fine start to the day with early sunshine. It will continue largely dry with some sunny spells, although areas of patchy cloud will build during the day and there is the chance of a few showers, particularly for western Scotland, Northern Ireland and north-west England. Mostly gentle winds.
‘It will be a dry and fine evening with late spells of sunshine for most. However, northern Scotland will be cloudier, with rain for the Northern Isles. Overnight will continue dry with long clear spells for most but with further rain for the Northern Isles. Mostly gentle winds but moderate for northern Scotland.’
Swimmers enter the Hampstead Heath mixed bathing pond in London as it reopens to the public following the easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions across England
Swimmers enter the Hampstead Heath mixed bathing pond in London as it reopens to the public following the easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions across England
Looking ahead to tomorrow and Monday, the Met Office added it’ll be ‘mostly fine and sunny’, though there could be some patches of cloud and rain.
Meanwhile, leading bookmaker Coral makes this month odds on, at 1-2, to be the hottest July on record as the UK prepares for a scorching end to the month.
‘The rain of early July looks set to become a distant memory and we make this month firmly odds on to break the record as the hottest ever,’ said Coral’s Harry Aitkenhead.
Coral also make this summer odds on, at 4-5, to be our warmest yet.’This summer can be one to remember weather wise and looks to have a strong chance of being our warmest of all time,’ added Aitkenhead.