Temperatures are set to soar to 26°C in part of the UK today as sunshine finally returns following a month of grey and gloomy weather.
Met Office forecasters say the nation will enjoy a blast of summer heat this week due to high pressure dominating, with today expected to see the hottest temperatures in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The mercury could hit highs of 24°C in Wales and 23°C on Thursday, and the outlook for the bank holiday weekend in Wales looks good.
Met Office forecaster Sarah Kent said: "High pressure is dominating this week bringing mostly settled conditions with variable amounts of cloud."
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But she warned that a cold front and north-easterly winds could force the temperature down later. The Met Office forecast for Wales on Wednesday says: "Fog and mist patches clearing through the morning, with persistent cloud lingering for some until midday. However, prolonged sunny spells in the afternoon and feeling warm in the sunshine. Dry throughout. Maximum temperature 21 °C."
For Thursday, it says: "A slightly cloudy start but clearing quickly to leave a dry and sunny day. Feeling very warm in the sunshine in some areas. Maximum temperature 23 °C."
The outlook for the bank holiday weekend says: "Fine and dry with sunny spells on Friday. Cloudier on Saturday though with some sunny spells and remaining dry. Long sunny spells and dry on Sunday."
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It comes after many areas were hit by downpours during what has been, for some, a wetter than average August.
Speaking about the weather this month, Ms Kent added: "This month has pretty much swung back and forth for many, areas in Scotland have been drier than usual, while areas in the South East have, of course, seen plenty of torrential downpours.
"It hasn't been so bad, the country has generally seen 72% of its average rainfall for the month so far, which is pretty much where you want to be as we come to the end of August."
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