Britain will be battered with 40mph gales this weekend before a scorching bank holiday Monday arrives.
The lockdown heatwave is set to continue to test social distancing guidance over the bank holiday weekend, with highs set to reach 23C.
But Brits won’t get to bask under the sun until heavy winds have swept the country.
The gusts will near 40mph across England on Friday night and throughout Saturday, and could hit 50mph in the Highlands.
Many areas will also see scattered showers throughout the bank holiday weekend, the Met Office said.
“Main southern and eastern parts will be dry with sunny then clear spells,” forecasts said.
“Windy further north and west, with showers, whilst gales and heavy rain will affect northwest Scotland."
On Saturday it will be “windy with sunny spells and scattered showers for many areas, with further rain for northwest Scotland. A dry and sunny end to the day in the south.”
But the chillier air will meet its match with temperatures in the mid-teens in almost all parts of the country over the bank holiday weekend.
Sunseekers will get their wish on a scorching bank holiday Monday with the mercury hitting 23C in London and the south east, and 20C elsewhere in the UK.
It will prove another test of resolve for the nation after thousands flocked to beaches on Wednesday as the mercury soared to 28C, the warmest day of the year so far.
Seafronts at Southend in Essex and Bournemouth in Dorset were rammed earlier this week as the country sizzled.
Police in North Devon hit out at tourists "from all over the country" causing “gridlocked” roads in the area, and said parking officers ran dry of tickets due to the flood of visitors.
Tourism bosses have pleaded with Brits to stay away from beauty spots this weekend.
Boris Johnson slightly eased some of the country's lockdown rules on May 10 and, while Brits can drive unlimited distances to other destinations, they have been told not to stay overnight away from home.
