UK weather brings hottest day of the year as Brits hit the beach to soak up sweltering 28C temperatures – but there will be thunderstorms tonight
THE BAKING hot weather has continued as the country has enjoyed the hottest day of the year so far but thundery showers could strike TONIGHT.
The Met Office confirmed that temperatures reached 28.1C at Porthmadog, Gwynedd in Wales which has made it the warmest day of the year so far.
Towards the south of England, including London, the mercury hit between 27 and 28C and it is a similar picture across the Midlands as well.
Those living along the south coast of England saw much cooler temperatures of between 19 and 20C.
The glorious weather is set to break down this evening however as heavy and thundery showers will move across south-west England, south Wales and Northern Ireland.
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It is not all bad news for the weekend though as the sun is expected to make a welcome return on Saturday- though thundery showers will not be too far behind.
The mini heatwave could make Saturday’s FA Cup Final between London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea one of the hottest on record.
Forecaster Emma Sharples said: “It is going to be very warm on Saturday with temperatures widely in the low 20Cs and possibly higher.
“There is a chance of thundery outbreaks and some heavy downpours due to warm, humid and unstable air.
“It looks like Saturday will be the warmest day of the weekend with things turning fresher towards the bank holiday.”
A Met Office spokesman added: "There will be a bit of respite from the thundery showers on Sunday and temperatures will remain in the mid to low 20s.
"However by Bank Holiday Monday, the air will become a bit fresher."
As people gear up to make their Bank Holiday getaway, the AA is reminding drivers about how they can stay cool in their cars.
Mark Shankland, MD at AA Tyres, says: "Roads are likely to be busier today as families set off for the start of the half term and the bank holiday. With the temperature threatening 30C, drivers should be well-prepared for any long journeys.
"Make sure you're well-stocked with bottles of water, are wearing sunglasses to protect yourself from glare and keep an eye on your motor's temperature to avoid overheating.
"When sat in traffic on a motorway or A-road, it can feel like you're caught under the lens of a magnifying glass. The last thing you want is to break down in these scorching temperatures - before you set off, make sure your engine coolant levels are topped up and your engine oil isn't too low.
"The AA is already experiencing higher-than-expected levels of callouts in the last 48 hours, most of which are attributed to tyres.
"It's vital that you check tyre pressures before you set off - the combination of soft tyres and soft roads can lead to real problems. Refer to your handbook to check your correct tyre pressures, and remember if you're carrying a heavier load, your pressures may well need to be higher."
A spokesperson from St John Ambulance, said: “Extreme heat can be dangerous, particularly for the very young and old, but by being prepared you can spot the early warning signs and potentially be the difference between life and death in an emergency.
“Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are the most serious problems that can develop when the mercury soars so it’s essential that people can spot the signs, such as headache and dizziness, and get them somewhere cool and rehydrated as soon as possible.”
The charity’s advice is to apply sun cream, cover up and stay hydrated, as you are then more likely to enjoy the high temperatures without incident.
Brits were and the Met Office confirmed on social media that it had been the warmest day of the year so far - with temperatures reaching 28C in Aboyne, Scotland.
However forecasters predict some places will be even hotter today.
In addition - the Met Office’s three month outlook predicts it is nearly four times more likely to be “much warmer than average” than cool over the coming months.
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