Britons flocked to beaches, parks, and pub gardens across the country as temperatures soared to 22C, while the Met Office released its forecast for this year's London Marathon. People from Dorset to London made the most of the much-welcomed sunshine, grabbing towels and pints to soak up the warm conditions.
Weekend Weather Outlook
The dry, sunny, and warm weather is set to continue throughout the weekend, with around 59,000 runners expected to take part in the London Marathon, including actor Cynthia Erivo (star of Wicked) and McFly's Harry Judd. Sunday is forecast to reach 20C in the capital, while Scotland and Northern Ireland will experience cloudier skies with showers. On Monday, heavy downpours are expected in the north and east of the UK.
Beach and Park Scenes
Beachgoers were scattered along the Dorset coast on Saturday, particularly in Bournemouth, while more adventurous individuals took to kayaking in the holiday park of West Bay. City dwellers soaked up the rays in London's parks, including Wimbledon Common in the southwest, and along the southern bank of the River Thames.
The Met Office reported: "Much of the UK today saw dry weather with plenty of sunshine. The northeast of Scotland and northeast England were cloudier and cooler, with highs reaching 22.5C." On Saturday night, cloud was expected to thicken in some areas, with a few fog patches and patchy frost in the countryside, where lows could drop to -1C or -2C.
London Marathon Forecast
Sunday will be generally cloudier, but the Met Office said: "There will be some hazy spells of sunshine, the best of these across southern England and Wales. The risk of some showers, mainly across Scotland, with highs reaching 21C or 22C." London is forecast to have sunny spells, and runners should prepare for rising temperatures in the late morning and early afternoon as they tackle the 26.1-mile route.
Forecasters added: "Sunday's London Marathon is likely to take place under largely dry and settled conditions. After a cool, potentially misty start, brighter spells should develop, and temperatures will rise to feel warm for many by the afternoon. Light winds and dry weather point towards a pleasant, spring-like day overall, well-suited to one of the capital's biggest sporting events."
The 2018 London Marathon was officially the hottest on record, with more than 40,000 runners competing in temperatures of 24.1C recorded in St James's Park.
Looking Ahead
Next week, conditions are forecast to stay largely dry with sunny spells. The Met Office noted: "There is a risk of a few showers, mainly on Monday. Maximum temperatures generally around 17-20C, so remaining above average."
