Britain heading for warmest day of year

It is time to bring out the summer wardrobe as today is set to be the hottest day of the year so far, forecasters predicted.

After unseasonably warm weather yesterday, today's temperature is set to soar as high as 23C which would make it the warmest day of 2010.

But people planning barbecues for the bank holiday weekend have been warned that temperatures will plummet with showers predicted around most of England.

Paul Knightley, a forecaster at MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said average temperatures for this time of year are usually around 15C.

He said: "The temperatures could reach 23C in the London area today if we can get some good spells of sunshine.

"There is a reasonable chance we could have the hottest day of the year today.

"The South East has been pretty warm over the last few days but unfortunately it is not going to last into the bank holiday weekend.

"Low pressure will spread from the west over the next 48 hours.

"The east and west will have a very showery day on Saturday. Some northern parts will not be as bad but will be turning cooler because the winds will be coming in from the north.

"It is predicted temperatures on Sunday will be 6C but could reach up to 11C. Scotland could reach anywhere between 7C and 10C."

Mr Knightley said that it looks like Monday will be the best day of the weekend, mostly dry with temperatures in the region of 12C.