Beaches and parks brace for onslaught of visitors as London and the south is set for 82F sun today


Beaches and car parks are bracing for an onslaught of visitors as London and the south is set for 82F (28C) sun today – but rain will keep things cooler further north.  

The Met Office forecast a weather front to bring a split in temperatures between the two regions with a ‘fairly grey’ day for northern England and north Wales but scorching conditions towards the south-east.  

It follows police saying UK motorways looked like a ‘cross between a caravan and a boat show’ yesterday after millions hit the roads ahead of this weekend as the official school holidays begin for many families.

The busy roads heading southbound towards Cornwall, South Devon and Plymouth were piled up with traffic and delays were reported on the M5 southbound, from Gloucestershire all the way down to Somerset.

Most schools are set to break up for the summer holidays between July 20 and July 22, after months of home schooling due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Met Office’s Alex Deakin, above, forecast a ‘fairly grey’ day for northern England and north Wales but scorching conditions towards the south-east today as a weather front brings a split in temperatures between the two regions

Forecasting today’s weather, Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said: ‘For northern England, north Wales it looks fairly grey with outbreaks of rain especially to the west of the Pennines, at times some of that rain could just trickle into mid-Wales and eventually maybe into parts of the Midlands too. 

‘But looks like most of the Midlands, most of southern England into East Anglia, dry, bright and very warm once more. Should brighten up a little bit across the far north of England but there is, as I say, quite a bit of uncertainty about the position of this weather front.

‘It could be a bit further north, it could be a little bit further south. But it will definitely bring that contrast in temperatures again, another warm one across the south-east, 28C (82F) is possible, whereas it will be cooler further north but still pleasant enough in the sunshine where we see it across eastern Scotland, north-east England, 20C (68F) is possible.

‘If you’re stuck under that cloud and rain from that weather front though it will feel pretty cool. Now that weather front may pep up again on Saturday evening across parts of Wales especially and again north-west England, staying fairly soggy, the rain could expand as we go into Sunday too.’

Towards the end of the weekend, many areas will see ‘sunny spells’ with any rain across the south slowly clearing away.

Mr Deakin added: ‘That weather front then slowly chugging south into Sunday, still a lot of uncertainty about the timing although it kind of stalls, again though further north the cooler air for Sunday but a fresh bright day for much of Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Towards the end of the weekend on Sunday, many areas will see 'sunny spells' with any rain across the south slowly clearing away, but 'uncertainty' surrounds how quickly the front will last

Towards the end of the weekend on Sunday, many areas will see ‘sunny spells’ with any rain across the south slowly clearing away, but ‘uncertainty’ surrounds how quickly the front will last

The busy roads heading southbound towards Cornwall, South Devon and Plymouth piled up with traffic ahead of the weekend, as many families set off on their holidays. Pictured, traffic on the M1 near Worksop yesterday

The busy roads heading southbound towards Cornwall, South Devon and Plymouth piled up with traffic ahead of the weekend, as many families set off on their holidays. Pictured, traffic on the M1 near Worksop yesterday

‘A few showers, some drifting inland. But across England and Wales that weather front still likely to be around, certainly initially bringing cloud and rain, it should start to clear away though through the day. 

‘We could though see some heavier showers breaking out across East Anglia and the south-east later on but there’s a lot of uncertainty about how quickly that weather front scoops away.’

Meanwhile, Coral bookmaker has made it odds-on at 1-2 for 86F (30C) or higher being recorded this weekend in the UK.

Coral’s John Hill said: ‘We are set for one of the hottest weekends of the year so far, with our betting indicating 30C or higher could be reached in the UK. 

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall's Police and Crime Commissioner has warned that there may be more domestic visitors to Cornwall and Devon than ever this year due to foreign travel restrictions. Pictured, the M1 near Worksop

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner has warned that there may be more domestic visitors to Cornwall and Devon than ever this year due to foreign travel restrictions. Pictured, the M1 near Worksop

Traffic pilled up on the M1 near Worksop (above) yesterday and delays were reported on the M5 southbound, from Gloucestershire all the way down to Somerset

Traffic pilled up on the M1 near Worksop (above) yesterday and delays were reported on the M5 southbound, from Gloucestershire all the way down to Somerset

Drivers have been asked to avoid travelling in peak times and check how busy the roads are before setting off for long journeys

Drivers have been asked to avoid travelling in peak times and check how busy the roads are before setting off for long journeys

‘With more sizzling temperature on the horizon, we think we could still get a record hot summer this year.’

The firm also made it odds-on at 10-11 for a hosepipe ban this summer and 5-4 for the hottest summer on record in the UK. 

It follows yesterday becoming the hottest day so far this month as the mercury hit 83.3F (28.5C) at London’s Heathrow.

The Met Office tweeted: ‘It was the warmest day so far this July as temperatures reached 28.5°C at Heathrow. 

‘A cold front brought cloud and rain further north, where it was much cooler. Fresher air will spread south this weekend as the cold front clears through.’