SUNSEEKERS GET BBQ SUMMER AT LAST

CATCH SOME RAYS: But sunseekers will have to be quick!

Tuesday August 18,2009

By Emily Garnham for express.co.uk

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BRITAIN'S elusive “barbecue summer” is back... but not for long.

Warm sunshine and blue skies are forecast across parts of the country as hot air from southern Europe keeps temperatures balmy.

Brits in southern and eastern areas of the UK will be basking in the glorious weather, with the mercury predicted to hit 29C (84.2 F) on Wednesday.

But sun-seekers will have to be quick, with the fleeting hot spell only set to last until mid-week when a cool front moves in.

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Met Office spokesman Barry Grommett told Express.co.uk: "It's looking particularly good in the south-east corner of the UK where temperatures will hit the high twenties.

Office workers enjoy the sun today in Victoria Embankment Gardens, London

"On Thursday things start to cool off a bit but it will still be warm and humid with temperatures in the mid twenties.

"The weekend is looking rather unsettled as temperatures take a dip. There will be a fair number showers too."

London and the south east will see the warmest weather, while western England, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be cloudy with a risk of heavy showers and thunder.

IN PICTURES: SUMMER 2009

SUMMER ARRIVES IN BRITAIN
BRITAIN SIZZLES
BRITAIN'S WASHOUT SUMMER

This summer's inclement weather has baffled Britons and forecasters alike.

Back in April, the Met Office issued a seasonal forecast with a claim that the UK was “odds-on for a barbecue summer”.

However, a heatwave at the end of June and beginning of last month ended in a wash-out with higher-than-average rainfall in July.

This week's forecast tallies with the Met Office's most recent prediction for "fine and settled weather and above average temperatures".