Summer could finally be around the corner with weather forecasters predicting that the UK could enjoy warm weather for the rest of July. With parts of Britain on Sunday experiencing the hottest day of the year so far - 27.2 Celsius being recorded at London Heathrow - memories of one of the coldest springs on record could soon be banished. Forecasters have said that a build-up of high pressure will lead to fine weather across the UK resulting in below-average rainfall and above-average temperatures.
A few outbreaks of rain are expected between now and Friday but then the warmer weather is expected to return and stay right through into August.
Sky News Weather Producer Joanna Robinson said: "There will be showers around today, but more prolonged rain will move in from the west tonight, which will extend slowly eastwards tomorrow.
"The wind will pick up as well. Wednesday and Thursday will see showers or longer spells of rain, but by Friday high pressure will build from the south-west settling things down.
"This coming weekend looks mainly fine and dry, with temperatures climbing across all areas, not just south-east England. England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland will see temperatures into the mid-20s, while Scotland and Northern Ireland will see the low-20s."
"It looks like high pressure will keep things settled and very warm for a good part of July too," she added.
"I'm sure there will be showers around at times and some coastal areas may be cooler, but overall the next few weeks currently look dry and very warm, with plenty of sunshine."
This follows a particularly cold start to the year, with March being the coldest on record since 1962.
March was colder than the preceding winter months of December, January and February, which had not happened for almost 40 years.
June looks like it was fairly average in terms of temperature, with below-average rainfall for England, Wales and Scotland.