UK weather: Reading festival-goers beam as they arrive to soak up 26C sunshine – but they might need their wellies later

BRITS are soaking up the sunshine with temperatures reaching 26C today, but they might need their wellies later.

Reading festival goers are beaming as they arrive amid the hot weather and blue, sunny skies today.

Met Office meteorologists predicted the glorious weather - and the UK is now revelling in waving goodbye to recent gloomy conditions.

Reading party goers can look forward to temperatures of up to 25C this evening as they soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the music.

Armed with camping gear, hoards of Brits in high spirits are busy pitching their tents on festival grounds.

They will be itching to hear from huge names performing this year such as Sam Fender, Billie Eilish and The 1975.

Brits are also enjoying sunbathing today at Bournemouth beach today with stretches of sand packed with parasols and holidaymakers.

However, temperatures are due to remain in the low 20s for areas in the southeast while further north will hover in the mid to high teens.

As the day progresses, Brits in London will see the mercury rise to 26C while parts of the southeast coast hit 24C.

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: "It is going to be dry with sunny spells overall in the east and south of the country.

"In terms of temperatures, we are going to have highs of 26C.

"By Friday we will have highs of 23C. It's going to be a cooler bank holiday but with drier weather on Sunday into Monday - overall a better weekend than we've had for some time.

"The trends are lower for the next few weeks. I wouldn't rule out it being the last warm spell of the year.

"But, as we start getting into the active part of the hurricane season, with storms in the Atlantic, this can sometimes bring drier and warmer conditions."

A band of rain is due to move across Wales to Birmingham and Manchester until around midday.

Low pressure will keep temperatures cooler in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The dull weather will be felt by Brits in the north and west, with intermittent showers predicted to hit this evening and continue through the night.

These conditions are likely to continue into Thursday with most parts staying dry and bright with sunny spells.

The mercury is expected to reach highs of 23C in London and the southeast.

Unfortunately the bank holiday weekend is due to kick off with a mix of sunny spells and heavy showers.

Met Office meteorologists have given a mixed forecast with some sun and scattered downpours across most of the UK.

Areas in the north and west will be worst affected, as was the case throughout the week.

Patches of stormy weather will continue into Saturday, however Sunday welcomes dry and bright conditions.

Temperatures are set to hover between 19C to 22C across Britain, with London only reaching 20C on Saturday and slightly better on Sunday at 21C.

A Met Office spokesperson said: "Rain and showers could move into the north-west of the country over the bank holiday weekend, proceeding east and south across the country into the following week.

"Temperatures for the end of month are likely to be close to, or a little below, average for the time of year."