UK weather forecast: warm weather to return for much of the UK this weekend with temperatures to hit 24C

Sunny weather is set to return for much of the UK this weekend after days of persistent showers that saw some parts of the country drenched in up to 30mm of rain, forecasters have said.

Most Brits will be able to bask in sunshine again on Saturday and Sunday with temperatures reaching the mid-twenties, according to the Met Office. Forecasters have reccomended wearing sun cream, as UV radiation will be "high or very high".

The early hours of Saturday will be cooler than previous nights this week, which have been humid for many people across the country. The day itself will be mostly dry, with temperatures reaching around 22C, but with light showers in Scotland and northern England.

Sunday will be even warmer, with the mercury pushing up to 24C. London and southern England will be hottest, but areas as far north as Aberdeen could also be as warm as 22C on Sunday.

Met Office meteorologist Steven Keates told the Standard: "It should be pretty nice across the country, with lots of dry weather around, a fair amount of sunshine as well and it should be pleasantly warm, not particularly hot.

"Temperatures should be about average for the time of year with light winds and some sunshine - it should feel quite nice out there for the majority of us this weekend."

He added: "Saturday will start off quite cool and fresh, less muggy than it's been for the past few nights, particularly in the south. A nice sunny start but the cloud will bubble up through the day and there'll be a few showers around on Saturday, mainly across parts of Scotland and northern England but nothing particularly heavy.

"Much of the southern half of England and Wales will get away with a dry day. There'll be light winds, that will help temperatures climb up to probably around 21C or 22C, warmest in southern England. London and down towards Hampshire... will see the highest temperatures."

Mr Keates went on: "It will be dry overnight into Sunday and quite cool - temperatures will be well down into single figures in sheltered rural areas. If you're camping this weekend it will certainly be a fresh start to Monday morning. On Sunday it'll be a nice day with plenty more sunshine around. I don't think there'll be any showers on Sunday, just a dry day with sunny spells. Light winds and again those temperatures will be coming up nicely so probably a little bit warmer on Sunday compared to Saturday, with a high of about 24C.

"Then later in the day it looks quite the cloud will thicken and there'll be some rain to close out the weekend in Northern Ireland and the west of Scotland but most of us will have a largely dry weekend with some pleasant warmth to be had."

But people should take care when out in the sun, Mr Keates said.

He added: "UV levels will be high or very high for much fo the country this weekend so if you are out and about make sure you slap on plenty of sun cream, as the sun's obviously pretty strong this time of year."