London and most of the rest of the country are in the throes of a lovely hot sunny May bank holiday. But enjoy it while it lasts, because temperatures are set to go down on Wednesday...
In the meantime, Britain is basking in what could be the hottest day of the year so far. It comes hot on the trail of the coldest Easter on record and a disappointing start to spring.
The sunshine has gradually increased over the weekend and temperatures are expected to peak at 22C in many areas today.
Weather expects said there is a chance the temperature could climb even higher, beating this year's April 25 record of 23C (73F).
But Scotland and Northern Ireland have not enjoyed the same highs as England and Wales this weekend, and today are expected to hit only 17C along with spells of cloud and rain.
Billy Payne, a forecaster for MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "It doesn't matter where you are in England and Wales today, it's going to be lovely.
"It's going to be at least 20C in most places and up to 22C in some areas in East Anglia, London, Midlands and Lincolnshire.
"There's a chance it may beat our predictions and end up being the hottest day of the year so far.
"There will be a risk of some showers but I don't want to spoil the message that it's going to be a very sunny day."
This year's sunny bank holiday will be a big improvement on last year, which saw rain and a temperature high of 16C (60.8F) at Exeter Airport.
On Saturday temperatures reached 18C in Lincolnshire and 18.3C in Cambridge before climbing to 20.9C at Hol Beach in Lincolnshire and Aberdeenshire yesterday.
But the upward trend ends today, with temperatures expected to fall tomorrow before turning cloudy and unsettled on Wednesday.
