Brits across the UK have flocked to beaches and parks as temperatures rise above 20C and the nation crosses its fingers in hope of a June heatwave.  

After a damp May, June is off to a balmy start with temperatures across the UK reaching as high as 24C today. 

The sudden spell of hot weather has been welcomed by Brits who have headed outside to enjoy the sunshine while they can. 

In Dorset and the surrounding areas, revellers have been pictured flocking to the area’s picturesque beaches.  

In the South East of England, the Met Office forecasts that the mercury levels could rise as high as 24C in Southampton this afternoon. While the rest of the south enjoys an average temperature of around 20C.

A woman enjoying the sunshine on Branksome Chine beach in Dorset. After a damp May, June is off to a balmy start with temperatures across the UK reaching as high as 24C today

Revellers enjoying the sunshine in Wimbledon Common in south west London. In the South East of England, the Met Office forecasts that the mercury levels could rise as high as 24C in Southampton this afternoon

Cyclists on a sunny bike ride in Berkshire. Those Brits hoping for a heatwave might be in for a disappoint as rain are expected later on in the week 

In Weymouth (pictured) and the surrounding areas, revellers have been pictured flocking to the area’s picturesque beaches

It is a similar picture in the Midlands and most the North –  with the temperature slightly dipping to a still pleasant 18C in Manchester. 

North of the border in Scotland, areas of the Highlands are a full 10C cooler than in parts of England but remaining mostly in the high teens for most of the country.

The Met Office weather forecast for today said: ‘Sunshine for the end of the weekend but a bit cloudier in the north with some rain and drizzle and turning a bit windier too.

‘Taking a look at the bigger picture we’ve still got high pressure dominates most of the weather in the UK.’

‘In the afternoon there will be plenty of dry, fine weather across much of the country. Different story in the north  where there is more rain and cloud – in particular in the North West.

‘When you do catch the sunshine it will be feeling warmer than yesterday but the brisk breeze will take the edge off the heat.’    

Those Brits hoping for a heatwave might be in for a disappoint as rain are expected later on in the week.

The Met Office have also reportedly prepared the government for an extremely soggy weather. 

Between the start of June and the end of August, they estime  wet weather will be 50 per cent more likely than average.  

The bleak forecast threatens to interrupt a number of summer events, including Wimbledon and Glastonbury. If predictions are correct, it could be the dampest summer since 1912 – when rain fell on 55 days across the summer season.

The sudden spell of hot weather has been welcomed by Brits who have headed outside to enjoy the sunshine while they can

Families enjoy the warm weather at Hathersage Swimming Pool in the Peak District. The Midlands are enjoying similar warm weather to the South with temperatures dipping slightly in the North  

Two ladies out punting near Cambridge. The warm summer weather this weekend has the nation crossing their fingers in hope for a June heatwave

Punters out in force on the River Cam to enjoy the warm weather 

Policemen enjoy an ice cream in the warm weather, in London’s Hyde Park

Two ladies enjoying the sunshine in London’s Hyde Park 

The Met Office long-range forecast said: ‘The chances of a wetter-than-average period are higher than a drier-than-average one.

‘Rainfall at this time of year has a greater risk of localised heavy downpours and thunderstorms.’

Low pressure systems have been blamed by forecasters as the reason for the wet summer. 

It comes after the Met Office revealed April was the sixth wettest since records dating to 1836.