Brits are bracing for a washout weekend with heavy rain forecast for many regions and cooler temperatures than in recent weeks.
But there are hopes of a heatwave with higher temperatures predicted for next week and into July with much warmer weather to come.
On Friday meteorologists predict a wet day for many across the UK with the mercury expected to be nearly 10 C lower than in recent days for some parts.
Met Office forecaster Clare Nasir said of today's weather forecast: "Turning a lot cooler on Friday across the northern half of the UK with cloud, rain and a brisk breeze.
"Showery further south through Friday.
"Certainly a showery start to the day across more southern areas and to the north east."
She added that 'showery bursts of rain' that would be 'quite hefty in places' would continue throughout the day in many areas and there would be lower temperatures.
It will be about 9 C lower than in recent days towards the north, forecasters said, with high temperatures in the south reaching peaks of about 21 C.
By the weekend there will be more showery rain and lower temperatures than seen recently.
But there are reports that the UK is set to bask in a heatwave moving into the end of June and early July.
Some areas are forecast to see highs of almost 30 C in July while parts of the North West, including Manchester and Coventry, could reach 28C on July 5.
The Yorkshire Dales and Leeds are expected to hit a high of 27C on the same day.
They will unusually be warmer than areas of the south, with London, Kent and Essex potentially reaching 25C.
The BBC's forecast for the first few weeks of July states: "Toward mid-July the pattern is likely to be rather changeable with mixed dry and warm spells and an increased chance of a brief heatwave.
"The extent of high-pressure influence in western and northern Europe is the main source of uncertainty for the forecast.
"This would be a very warm pattern for the UK with a potential for heatwaves.”
UK Weather Forecast
Today:
Cool, cloudy and breezy with rain at times for much of Scotland and northern England. Further south, sunny spells developing but also some heavy showers and thunderstorms for parts of Wales, the Midlands, East Anglia and southeast England.
Tonight:
Early evening showers tending to fade, but a few persisting over the Midlands, Wales and southwest England overnight. Parts of Scotland and northern England staying cloudy with rain at times.
Saturday:
Southeast Scotland and parts of northeast England cool and cloudy with patchy rain for some. Elsewhere, sunny spells developing, but also a few showers for parts of England and Wales.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday
Southern parts likely to see some rain at times, this possibly heavy and thundery. Elsewhere a good deal of fine and dry weather. Becoming warm for many, especially the north.
