Brits can enjoy a sunny start to the weekend with high temperatures in the mid-20s but forecasters are warning of gale force winds just around the corner.
Britain has enjoyed a spell of scorching weather in recent weeks, with temperatures exceeding 30C on multiple occasions. It means last month is expected to be the hottest June on record.
Last year we saw temperatures exceed 40C for the first time in recorded history but forecasters believe it is unlikely to reach the same peaks this year.
Today forecasters predict highs of 24C in the south east by the afternoon with many regions set to bask in the sunshine.
Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said earlier: "Through Friday, we will see rain and cloud clear to the east of the UK, leaving many of us in a clearer air mass.
"However, low pressure will continue to bring more rain to the far north of Scotland through Saturday. The rain will clear to the east on Saturday morning, so there will perhaps be a bit of a murky start for South Eastern areas.
"Elsewhere there will be a good amount of sunshine to start the day. We'll see sunny spells for much of central England and Wales. Northern areas will see a little bit more in the way of showers, with persistent and quite heavy rain to the far north of Scotland."
But strong winds are expected by the evening that could go above 50mph by Sunday.
Ms Shuttleworth said: "On Sunday, that is when the winds start to pick up. We have quite an intense jet stream at the moment and we are to the south west of an area of low pressure, so that is where we will see the strongest winds across north western Scotland at the start of Sunday. This will come round to eastern areas of Scotland and parts of northern England.
"We are going to see rain persist in Scotland throughout the day, so quite an unseasonable wet and windy weekend. For northern England, this rain will be more in the way of showers, so quite hit and miss and not everyone will see them.
"To the south, some cloud will be around but it will still feel quite bright.
"With the breeze picking up for the bulk of the UK, especially the far north where gusts could reach in excess 50mph and expose coasts to the far north and north east of Scotland.
"Temperatures will be a little bit down compared to Saturday. In the far south east is again where the warmest temperatures will be, but it will be a slightly fresher day."
It comes after Met Office forecasters revealed exactly when the UK's next heatwave will come - and said there is a very slim chance the mercury could hit 40C again.
Despite showers plaguing some parts of the country in recent days, the Met Office reckon a return to blazing conditions is right around the corner.
July 15 looks set to be the peak of the new warmth.
Craig Snell, meteorologist at the Met Office, told The Mirror: "That's when we will start to see high pressure dominate and that will bring drier and brighter weather."
Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: "Over the first half of July there is not a strong indicator of hot weather.
"We have to remember that there is currently a 1% chance of 40C temperatures in our climate.
"For mid to high 30Cs, we could get that and they are becoming more frequent."
UK weather forecast
Today:
A cloudy start with early rain and drizzle across the southern half of the UK fading to leave a mostly dry day with sunny spells. Showers developing further north especially across Scotland. Windy and feeling cool in the north.
Tonight:
Remaining dry with clear periods for many tonight. Showers will continue across northern areas with strong winds and a persistent band of rain affecting far northern Scotland.
Sunday:
Another day of sunny spells and maybe the odd shower for southern parts of the UK. Further showers across the north where it will also remain windy and cool.
