Brits have been soaking up the sunshine as the country experienced its hottest day of the year so far.
Crowds gathered in parks and beaches to soak up the sun as temperatures reached 21C in London, breaking the record of 20.9C set last Saturday.
Large parts of southern and eastern England and Wales will also experience a fine weekend, with warm, dry weather expected to continue until Saturday.
Forecasters said the bright spell was the result of warmer air across the country and an area of high pressure just to the south of Britain.
Wetter conditions hit northern England and Scotland this morning, giving way to better weather this afternoon with thermometers reaching 17C in the north-east of England on Saturday.
However, some showers will persist in Northern Ireland and Scotland on Saturday, with the possibility of “localized problems”, while the northwest of England could be hit by strong wind gusts.
Britons enjoyed the first of what could be three straight days of 20C heat on Thursday with a splash in the sea, despite a sea temperature of just 7C.
People relax in the warming sun in St James Park, central London
A park visitor reading a book in the shade under a tree
A man basks in the sun as temperatures soared above 20°C in the capital on Friday.
Walkers stroll by the sea on a Sunderland beach
MAKING A SPLASH: A dog dives into the sea to cool off while holding a tennis ball in its mouth in Folkestone, Kent
Boaters go punting on the River Cam in Cambridge as temperatures in the south reach 21C
Beachgoers pictured enjoying the blue skies and sunshine on Bournemouth beach
Zip lines fly over the sea at Bournemouth Pier, as much of southern England enjoys sunshine and warm temperatures for this time of year.
The heatwave that hit Britain this week is expected to continue today, with the mercury reaching 20C in London and the south east.
Wetter conditions are expected across northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, while most of southern England and Wales will see a fine sunny day.
Southern England and Wales are set to experience another fine day on Friday with temperatures reaching 20C.
Pictured: Sunrise in Portsmouth, Dorset. Clear conditions are expected on Friday, with temperatures likely to exceed this year’s current record set last Saturday.
The sun rises around Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower on Friday morning
Pictured: The sun breaking through the clouds this morning over Dunsden, Oxfordshire
But despite the mixed weather, temperatures are expected to remain mild for this time of year, with temperatures of 14C expected even in places far north like Aberdeen.
The Met Office said temperatures would be closer to the April average by Sunday, with most areas significantly cooler at between 10C and 15C.
Meteorologist Alex Burkill said the south east and London would benefit from “decent sunshine” on Saturday.
He warned that next week could start with showers for many, with rain expected in the north and Scotland on Sunday evening, moving towards the south-east.
The three-day forecast shows a mostly sunny day on Friday, with a cloudier outlook for Saturday and Sunday.
Britons took advantage of the warm weather on Thursday to swim in the sea, with temperatures expected to exceed 20C for three consecutive days.
A first display of hyacinths in Chalet Woods in Wanstead Park, north east London
“Next week starts with pouring rain for many of us and it’s going to be cooler than Friday and Saturday in particular.”
But in the longer term, Britain could face its “longest dry spell we have seen for several weeks or months”, with some “promising signs” of a low forming from the west .
The period of warmer temperatures may, however, pose a challenge for some, with pollen levels high across most of England, although only a few people with hay fever and allergies to tree pollen will be affected.
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