UK weather: Summer sunshine returns TODAY as Met Office maps turn orange with 29C highs just days after rain warnings
BRITS are set to enjoy a sunny day with temperatures reaching 29°C, just days after the Met Office issued rain warnings.
Warm and sunny spells are forecasted for the southeast today but rain is expected elsewhere in the UK.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Nick Silkstone said: “There is a warmer interlude of weather on the way for those in the south and east of the UK from the middle of the week.
“Temperatures on Wednesday could peak at 29°C in the southeast, with some good spells of sunshine for much of England and Wales.”
Despite the warm weather in the south, heavy showers are forecasted across Scotland and Ireland, potentially leading to more persistent rain throughout the day.
Temperatures in the north of England are expected to stay around 20°C, which is typical for this time of year.
Brits can expect the weather to clear as the day progresses, with much of the UK becoming drier by the afternoon.
Nick added: “While this initial warmth will be relatively short-lived, with a return towards average temperatures by Thursday, the weather will continue with a drier and more settled theme during the second half of the week under the influence of high pressure.
“The main exception to this will likely be the ongoing chance of some cloud and rain arriving across the northwest later in the week, though even here there should be some drier and brighter interludes.”
It comes after Storm Lilian caused chaos for festival and concertgoers with thousands of Brits affected.
At the Leeds festival, stages were closed for the entire weekend due to safety fears.
Many ticket holders left the Bramham Park site when the storm hit on Friday.
A van had its windows smashed by a falling wall.
Organisers were forced to close the BBC Radio 1, Aux and Chevron stages due to the conditions but it was hoped the Chevron stage could be reopened.
Members of the health and safety team said on Friday evening it would not be possible to open the BBC Radio 1 and Aux stages for the entire weekend.
One festival-goer described her experience as the “worst day ever” after her group’s tent had been destroyed.
Carrie Gill, 19, said: “All the rain came in (to the tent) because the poles pulled so hard from the wind the fabric ripped open and leaked the whole tent with the rain.
“We even put those rock plastic pegs in the bottom and they have snapped.
“We aren’t allowed back into the area for hours, all our stuff is in our mates’ tent, phone’s on 30 per cent.
“All the stores have blown over, the urinal walls are gone and lads are just pissing against fences, people’s tents are in the sky, the store shops are all over the floor and shirts and things from stores are gone. It’s honestly really bad here.”
Declan Donnelly, an engineering production operator from Manchester, said he had seen tents abandoned by people who had decided to go home.
He said his group “had to hold on to our tent for about one to two hours as well as double peg it as when the gusts hit it was nearly flying off”.
The 20-year-old added: “It seems to have calmed down now but there’s lots of tents ripped, collapsed and destroyed, with a fair few tents left by people who have chosen to go home.”
Dylan Maggs, 26, said he had seen the perimeter wall fall on empty tents and smash a van window.
“We’re just laughing through it, not much else we can do really, it’s annoying but it is what it is. We’ve seen a lot of people ditch tents and leave.”
Jason Kamara, 23, said: “We were told it’d be windy but we had no idea it would be that bad.
“I think it felt worse from inside the tents but it was impossible to sleep because of the rattling sounds.”
UK weather forecast
Today:
Very warm with sunny spells in the southeast on Wednesday, otherwise changeable with a mix of rain and showers elsewhere, although turning drier through the afternoon with some sunny spells. Staying rather cool in the northwest.
Tonight:
Cloud and patchy rain clearing east, a few showers remain in the northwest. Otherwise, mostly dry with clear spells and feeling fresher than previous nights.
Thursday:
A fresher feeling day for many. Mostly dry with sunny spells, although a scattering of showers is likely across Scotland and Northern Ireland, but most staying dry here too.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Drier and brighter through the period as higher pressure builds into the weekend. Lighter winds than of late with temperatures near or just above average for the time of year.