UK weather forecast: Britain to bask in 28C scorcher this weekend putting lockdown rules to test

The lockdown heatwave is set to continue this weekend with Britain to sizzle in 28C sunshine.

Temperatures are forecast to soar again in a scorching end to what looks to be the driest May on record in some regions.

But social distancing rules will face another test after thousands flocked to beauty spots over the bank holiday weekend.

The warm and dry weather will continue throughout Thursday and Friday, with northern Scotland the only area to experience cloudier skies.

The latest Met Office forecast predicts “plenty of warm sunshine” on Thursday and a “dry and clear” night for most.

For Friday, the Met Office said: “Another, warm and largely sunny day for most of the UK, with a low risk of a few sharp showers during the afternoon across parts of Scotland.”

Across the weekend, the Met Office forecasts “mostly dry, sunny and very warm” weather “across much of the UK, with the highest temperatures in the west”.

The mercury is set to soar to 28C on Friday and Sunday could be the hottest day of the year so far, beating the previous high of 27C last week, the Met Office said.

It will prove another test of resolve for sunseekers who flooded beaches and seafronts last weekend as bank holiday temperatures hit 23C.

Bournemouth and Southend beaches were seen packed with crowds for the second time in less than a week, while police were scrambled to Ruislip Lido in London to disperse sun worshippers.

Under the lockdown rules in England, daytrippers can visit leisure spots but they have to follow social distancing and cannot stay overnight.

But the RNLI rescue charity has pleaded with the Government to ban people from the coast amid warnings it is not safe until lifeguards, which the charity provides, can fully return.

The South West coast saw three deaths in two days earlier this week, including a 17-year-old girl who died after a dinghy capsized.

The Met Office confirmed the "exceptionally low" levels of rainfall since the start of March means some regions could see their driest May ever.

It has sparked fears of a possible impending hosepipe ban in June, with South East Water already urging its 2.2 million customers to cut down water usage.

Reservoir levels have already begun to decline, although there are no plans for a hosepipe ban yet.

The Environment Agency said it was working with water companies to ensure plans for a drought are ready should they be needed.

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