Thousands of Brits headed to the beach today as temperatures finally began to rise after a washout May.
Huge crowds descended on the UK's coastline as the Bank Holiday getaway caused long tailbacks on some motorways across the country today.
Beaches in Dorset and Sussex were filled today as people enjoyed the first long weekend since lockdown restrictions were eased earlier this month.
Forecasters say the good weather is due to continue into next week after one of the most miserable months on record.
Many are opting for staycations as most of the world - with a few exceptions including Portugal - is excluded from the government's green list - meaning people have to quarantine for 10 days on their return.
City centres also drew large crowds, while pubs and restaurants are expected to enjoy a bumper weekend following a torrid 15 months.
Tomorrow Manchester and Liverpool could be basking in temperatures of 24C (75.2F).
The UK is forecast to be bathed in warm sunshine on Monday with the mercury climbing to a possible high of 25C (77F), meaning it would surpass the current high for 2021 which was 24.5C (76.1F) recorded on March 31 in Kew Gardens.
The pleasant weather marks a welcome break from the rain that has dominated the UK since the start of the month.
According to the Met Office's early provisional stats, the UK has already had its fourth wettest May on record with an average of 199mm falling, and a few days still to go.
The wettest locations, receiving more than twice the average rainfall, were southwest and northeast England, as well as Wales and parts of eastern Scotland.
Parts of Scotland and northern England even saw snow at the beginning of the month when temperatures of -5.5C were recorded.
Met Office forecaster Matthew Box said: "It's obviously a welcome change I think for many.
"Given that we have had a reasonably cold and then a wet couple of months through spring, with April being cold and May being wet and cloudy and generally on the cool side too, we've got a sunny end to May.
"It might catch a few people out given that we haven't seen much sun and UV levels are going to be quite high over the weekend as well so that's something to be aware of."
Ben Aldous, from the RAC, said: "Our research points to Saturday and Monday being the busiest days, but in reality there's a good chance the weather will have the final say as to how busy the roads get.
"A return to more typical late May temperatures and an end to the recent wind and rain could spark a sudden surge in journeys and mean some routes - especially those to the coasts and hills - start to clog up."
