Britons pack beaches and beauty spots as temperatures hit 83F on hottest weekend of the year
Who needs the Algarve? Britons pack beaches and beauty spots as temperatures hit 83F on hottest weekend of the year as country basks in mini-heatwave for start of Euros
Temperatures have hit a sweltering 83F today as Britons enjoyed the hottest day of the year by heading to the country’s best beauty spots and hitting pub beer gardens for the kick off of England’s Euro 2020 campaign.
The mercury will soar just in time for kick-off at Wembley this afternoon with temperatures hitting highs of 84.2F, while opponents Croatia’s fans will be comparatively cooler at 79F back home.
The soaring temperatures could make Sunday the warmest June 13 on record.
Parts of the UK will be hotter than holiday destinations in Ibiza, Mykonos and even California due to a high pressure moving in from the south.
The hottest temperature recorded so far this year was 82.94F in Northolt, north-west London, on June 2.
Sunday is expected to see temperature possibly surpassing 86F in the South East, which has never been seen on June 13.
Temperatures really hotting up for the non-football fans getting an early spot on the beach at Southend-on-Sea in Essex today
What Football? The beach in Bournemouth was packed with families and sunseekers this afternoon as temperatures soared
The beach is packed as families and sunbathers flock to Lyme Regis, Dorset on day of scorching sunshine and clear blue skies
Beach at Lyme Regis in Dorset is packed as families and sunbathers flock to the seaside on a day of scorching hot sunshine
Picturesque: People enjoy the warm weather at Porthminster beach in St Ives, Cornwall near where the G7 summit goes on
People already flocking to the country’s beaches. Pictured: sunseekrs enjoy warm weather on Hastings beach, East Sussex
Paddleboarders take to the sea off of Hastings beach in East Sussex as temperatures could soar to as high as 86F today
Sunbathers look as paddleboarders take to the sea off of Hastings beach in East Sussex earlier today as temperatures rise
Forecaster Alex Burkill said: ‘Sunday is likely to be the hottest day of the weekend, with temperatures reaching 84.2F in London and the south east, while the bulk of the country will be dry with lots of sunshine.
‘This heat is likely to be widespread in the mid-20s which is above the average for this time of year.’
He said that while it’s ‘unlikely’ the mercury could sneak up to 86F, it ‘shouldn’t be ruled out’.
Mr Burkill went on to say: ‘It’s down to some high pressure building from the south-west, dragging sunny, dry weather from Spain, which are the perfect ingredients for the conditions many will see.’
The AA has warned parents and animal owners to ensure their children or pets are not left in locked cars, saying a dog is vulnerable to the heat in less than half an hour.
Early morning beach scenes from Branksome beach in Dorset as this surfer gets ready to hit the waves in the warm weather
It didn’t take long for sun-seekers to camp up on Branksome beach, Dorset, with some setting up their umbrellas at 7am today
Water sport fanatics were out in droves this morning getting in some action before the crowds flock to the country’s beaches
Ready for a dip: Pictures show sun-seekers and water sport fans hitting beaches early this morning ahead of a scorching day
Extinction Rebellion members stage a small protest on Porthminster beach in St Ives, Cornwall, as the G7 summit continues
Fun in the Sun: People enjoy the sunshine on a slightly quieter Gyllyngvase Beach near Falmouth in Cornwall
Pictures showed some beachgoers were already in place ready to enjoy the warm weather at 7am this morning as Britain’s best beauty spots are expected to be packed today.
Meanwhile, beaches in Dorset and Southend are already packed with families and sunseekers at temperatures are heating up.
It comes after a day of 78F on Saturday which saw Britons flocking to the beaches, sunbathing in the park and enjoying a trip to the races in the heat.
Many were clearly making the most of the weather amid the heatwave as they gathered in the nation’s beauty spots.
The warm weather is expected to continue through the week with sunny and hot temperatures in the south east of England tomorrow, with some cloud in northern England and Wales.
Rise and shine: Glastonbury Tor in Somerset is silhouetted against the stunning sunrise on a warm clear morning earlier today
Temperatures could reach 86F. Pictured: The lone tree just before dawn on the shores of Llyn Padarn in Llanberis, Snowdonia
Pictured: The Henley Dragon Boat team on the river in the sun earlier this morning in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire
The banks of the Thames were already busy in Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire earlier this morning as the day warmed up
Row row row your boat: People enjoy boating on the River Thames in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, this morning
Soaking up the sun: A pleasure boat makes its way along the River Nene in Peterborough ahead of a scorching day today
Noah, 3 and Jospehine, 4, play in a fountain in Centenery Square, Birmingham, as Brits brace for scorching Sunday afternoon
Thumbs up: Jacob Salhan, aged five, enjoys playing in the water fountains at Centenary Square in Birmingham city centre
Cooling off: Families relax by the water fountains at Centenary Square in Birmingham city centre as temperatures soar
On Tuesday, the weather is expected to be fine and dry for most at first, but there could be some rain in the northwest.
Forecasters predict it will be very warm or hot in the south with thundery showers developing on Wednesday and into Thursday.
Euro 2020, which is being held across Europe, kicked off one year late on Friday, with Turkey v Italy in Rome – before the first match in Britain is held today at 2pm as England face Croatia at Wembley Stadium in London.
Workers were on Friday constructing a fan zone at Trafalgar Square where supporters will be able to watch all England matches as well as the semi-finals and final.
Football fever: Residents of the Kirby Estate in London cool off in a paddling pool during hot weather. The housing estate has covered itself in hundreds of flags ahead of England’s opening match against Croatia at Wembley Stadium this afternoon
Pictured: Supporters arrive at Wembley Stadium prior to the Euro 2020 game between England and Croatia in London
Supporters cheer outside Wembley Stadium as England get ready to kick off their Euro 2020 campaign against Croatia
Sweltering in the capital: A jogger crosses the Millennium Bridge in the hot weather, in London
Pre-booked tickets are required with the first two England matches on Sunday and next Friday socially distanced and with reduced capacity, with passes allocated for key workers only.
Meanwhile, crowds of supporters have begun gathering at Wembley ahead of the match, enjoying drinks and waving flags as they prepare to cheer on the Three Lions.
Fans can be heard singing ‘It’s coming home’ as they march down Wembley Way with excitement building for kick off.
Although the country is enjoying the heatwave this weekend, Britons have been warned to expect thunderstorms later this week.
The Met Office warning read: ‘Some places are likely to see thunderstorms later Wednesday through to Friday with the potential for travel disruption and flooding.
‘Although there remains significant uncertainty in location and timing, areas of thunderstorms are expected to move northeast across parts of England and Wales from late Wednesday through to Friday morning.
‘Whilst not all locations will be affected, some intense thunderstorms may occur during this period with torrential rain, hail, frequent lightning and strong gusty winds possible.
‘Rainfall totals of around 30 mm could fall in an hour, with some locations potentially receiving around 50 mm in 2-3 hours, although these will be fairly isolated.’
