Sunny days and rising temperatures will kickstart the summer after the Bank Holiday drenching, forecasters said yesterday.

While heavy rain soaks England and Wales again today, with “hefty” showers likely into the weekend, next week brightens up, predicts Positive Weather Solutions’ Jona­than Powell.

He said: “We will see the mid 70s (around 24C) by the middle of June, with the South bathed in sunshine and the North unexpectedly hot.

“We are confident that June will give us a glimpse of summers past. As usual, the further south you are, the better for both temperatures and sunshine, but the North and Midlands too may produce some surprise high temperatures.”

The news will come as a relief to millions who saw their Bank Holiday weekend ruined by ­torrential rain.
Some southern counties were hit by their average May rainfall in just 48 hours. The Environment Agency last night had one flood warning in place, on the River Stour in Warwickshire, and 19 flood watches, with more expected later in the week.

“Hefty rain” was expected to swing up the country from the South-east last night.

A stretch of Britain from the South-west to the North-east of Scot­land would be in its grip, with up to two inches (50mm) of rain expected in the West, the Met Office said.