A wet start to the summer holidays continued for millions of schoolchildren today as families embarking on getaways endured heavy rain in southern England.
Most areas of the UK will see a mixed bag of sunshine and showers over the next few days along with temperatures around average for the time of year.
But the mercury is expected to climb again from Sunday with 27C (81F) highs set to hit parts of the country next week, especially central and southern areas.
And the RAC estimated drivers will make 27million leisure trips over the course of six days from Tuesday until Sunday as the summer getaway becomes drawn out.
Experts added that 2.5million leisure trips by car would be taken today, ahead of 3.2million on ‘Frantic Friday’ tomorrow and then a peak of 3.6million on Saturday.
Tuesday was the day most schools broke up for summer – and many families are driving to France, with the Port of Dover in Kent warning of an hour-long wait at border control this morning.
Meanwhile Britons were warned to be wary of ‘cold’ open water as temperatures go up again, with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) reminding people to head to beaches overseen by lifeguards if they wish to swim.
It comes after two boys died this week in open water, including eight-year-old Joshua Hillstead, who was pulled from the River Arrow, in Alcester, Warwickshire, and a 16-year-old who was found in Lodge Farm Reservoir, Netherton, in Dudley.
Temperatures peaked at 31.9C (89.4F) at St James’s Park in London last Friday, making it the UK’s hottest day of 2024 so far, with much of the country remaining warm over the weekend.
The previous record high for 2024 was 30.5C (86.9F) in Wisley, Surrey, on June 26.
This week has so far had mixed conditions with sunny spells interspersed by showers for many areas.
And it has been a very wet start to July, with East and South East England already having seen almost double the rainfall expected for the whole of the month.
Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst said: ‘There are signs that as we get to Sunday, Monday and Tuesday temperatures will start coming up a bit again.
‘Early next week maybe around 26, 27C across central and southern England. High pressure moves in on Sunday, then pushing eastwards and drawing in warmer air.’
He added: ‘At this time of year people head to the beach when the weather’s warm or off to local lakes and rivers.
‘Be mindful that at this time of year the water’s still pretty cold, around 16, 17, 18C. It’s not like in the Mediterranean where it’s much warmer.’
Mr Dewhurst said there will be outbreaks of rain across large swathes of the country over the next few days.
However, it is set to turn brighter on Friday, with temperatures in parts of southern England possibly hitting 24C (75F), he said.
Matt Croxall, charity director of the Royal Life Saving Society UK, said: ‘We tend to see an increase in drownings as the weather gets warmer and in light of the two recent tragic drownings we’ve seen, it’s more important than ever that everybody has the tools to enjoy water safely this summer and beyond.
‘More than half of accidental drownings have occurred at inland open water sites – and many of these drownings occur due to a lack of knowledge and understanding of open water safety.
‘By taking simple steps and following the Water Safety Code and making people aware of what they need to take into account before they get in, and when they are in the water will save lives – knowing the risks associated and your limits could make all the difference.’
Sam Hughes, RNLI water safety manager, said: ‘With the weather looking unsettled, we’re still expecting people during the school summer holidays to head to coastal locations.
‘We’re reminding people to head for a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
‘If you do find yourself in difficulty, remember float to live: tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then, once you are through the initial shock, call for help or swim to safety if you can.’
The Met Office said yesterday’s UK high was 26.0C (78.9F) at London Heathrow Airport, while the lowest temperature was 5.5C (41.9F) at Altnaharra in the Highlands.