Britons will be able to enjoy some sunshine over the Bank Holiday as temperatures creep up towards 30C (86F) by the end of the month. In London on Friday the mercury could reach 25C.

Temperatures are forecast to build until Sunday but downpours will hit northern areas until Friday, with outbreaks of rain expected in some southern parts before high pressure moves in.

This bank holiday weekend is set to be the hottest on record with the Met Office forecasting temperatures of up to 91F (33C), meaning millions of people will hit the roads for day trips to the seaside.

Sales of beer, ice cream and burgers soared as the mercury hit 29 Celsius (84F) in London yesterday, with much of the country also basking in the high 20Cs.

For five years the Met office and Ireland's Met Eireann have run the Name Our Storms campaign. This year one of the storms even has a Love Island link and is set to be named Maura.

Temperatures have remained approximately one or two degrees warmer across the UK today as southerly winds bring a late warm spell dubbed the 'Indian summer heatwave'.

Brits enjoyed a last blast of scorching summer weather today, with glorious sunshine - but heavy rain and thunderstorms are set to ravage the UK.

Rush hour commuters in London were hit by severe delays with railway lines flooded and several tube stations closed as thunderstorms and a month worth of rainfall hit the UK on Tuesday.  

Severe weather is predicted to hit large swathes of southern England and Wales from around 6am on Saturday affecting cities including Cardiff, Plymouth, Bristol, and London.

The Met Office issued a weather warning for today, running from 3am to 6pm, covering Snowdonia, the Pennines and the North East. The strong winds could lead to potential power cuts.

Hundreds have been evacuated from their homes since Storm Dennis hit on Sunday and five people have died after being struck by fallen trees or swept away in the deluge.

Londoners bemoaned the 'pathetic' flakes that fell for just a few minutes this morning before joking that the city would still fall to its knees regardless - paralysed by the smallest bit of bad weather.

The atrocious weather shows little signs of abating, with Brits suffering a fifth consecutive wet weekend. Some areas will three to four inches of rain in heavy downpours and winds up to 50mph.

The Met Office is warning of high pressure systems from the Atlantic and northern Europe crossing towards the eastern parts of the UK from Friday afternoon.

Britons feeling blue because of the coronavirus lockdown are set to bask in some sunshine with forecasters predicting temperatures could soar to 68F by Sunday.

Temperatures are expected to be warmer than Ibiza in Britain today, with highs of 77F (25C) forecast in the south compared to 64F (18C) in the Spanish holiday hotspot.

Brits will experience a mixed few days of weather this weekend, before the mercury will rise early next week, with sunny spells back on the horizon.

The Met Office forecast temperatures to hit up to 77F (25C) on Friday, with London possibly seeing 79F (26C) on Saturday, as a plume of hot air from the southern Mediterranean wafts across the UK.

Time was when an avocado-green bathroom marked you out as someone with dreadful, stuck-in-the-70s bad taste. Oh, how things have changed…

An ideal way to use up any slightly blackened bananas in the bowl - the riper the fruit, the sweeter and headier these pancakes will be.

From quick comfort food suppers to mouthwatering desserts, Annie Bell's super-versatile batter recipe can be adapted whichever way you like 

Eat as an indulgent warm sandwich or a light supper with a salad.

When two heartbreaking miscarriages left Anna Buxton unable to conceive, she remained determined to have the family she dreamed of - whatever it took

That's been the reality for many bereaved parents - until now, thanks to one mother's tireless campaign - and the introduction of Jack's Law

Traybakes are the epitome of easy cooking and they really are a great way to use up leftover ingredients

We're joking, of course. But our fearless columnist and her long-suffering assistant Nicola Bebb have a relationship that's outlived most marriages.

With its buttery biscuit base, thick bank of caramel and cloud of whipped cream, this feels deliciously indulgent - even when you are sharing it

Russell Brand may have a reputation for his playboy past - but these days he's happier road-testing kiddie crafts for wife Laura's new venture.

Sofia Richie shared a very sultry photo of herself onboard a plane on Monday. The beauty appeared to be heading on a snow adventure ahead of New Year's Eve.

Barca and Real Madrid are facing a huge backlash over their £102m jaunt to Saudi Arabia as they ignore criticism over taking money from a nation long-condemned for its terrible human rights record.

The club's sporting director Eric Abidal and CEO Oscar Grau reportedly linked up with the former midfielder in Doha this week following Barca's Spanish Super Cup defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona have suffered a major blow as striker Luis Suarez is set for six weeks on the sidelines, as the club have confirmed he is to undergo knee surgery.

President Trump claimed on Friday that Saudi Arabia has 'already deposited $1billion in the bank' so that the United States would continue to station troops in the desert kingdom.

Barcelona have tested Monaco's resolve by bidding for their talisman Ben Yedder, according to reports in France. The forward has 15 goals from 18 games in all competitions.

Newcastle are 'targeting a sensational return' for Rafa Benitez if the proposed £340million take over by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince goes through. 

The kingdom's immigration department claimed 'regulatory provisions on travel documents would be applied' to citizens who travel to the Asian nation.

DailyMail.com has acquired exclusive video of Ilhan Omar's ex Ahmed Hirsi's marriage ceremony that took place in an apartment in the Somali capital of Mogadishu on December 12.

The swarm is thought to have spread from Saudi Arabia, where they had been seen in regions including Riyadh, Mecca and Qassim, to Bahrain due to strong winds.

Saudi Arabia has temporarily banned religious pilgrims from visiting Mecca or Medina to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the Kingdom

Billionaire Sheikh Maktoum - a friend of the Queen - had Princess Shamsa abducted from Cambridge after she went on the run in 2000 and her sister Princess Latifa snatched from her yacht.

The Duke of York's new PR expert Mark Gallagher helped to massage Saudi Arabia's image following global outrage over air strikes that killed thousands of Yemeni civilians.

Saudi Arabia, which has recorded 1,885 infections and 21 deaths, imposed a 24-hour curfew today in the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina, an extension of measures to combat coronavirus.

Should the Reuben brothers play an integral part in Mike Ashley departing Newcastle United, Ant and Dec might suddenly find they have competition as the Toon's favourite double act.

HELEN CAHILL - CITY CORRESPONDENT: Saudi fund boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan is in the final stages of taking over as chairman of Newcastle United, sources told Sportsmail.

EXCLUSIVE BY MARTIN SAMUEL: The deposit paid by the Saudi Arabian consortium is non-refundable, meaning Newcastle owner Ashley gets richer even if the takeover is not ratified.

The trio had arranged to return to Buenos Aires via Sao Paulo in Brazil. But given there is a travel ban between Brazil and Argentina, a permit was needed to allow their private flight.

It is the news Newcastle fans have been dreaming about for years - a big-money takeover and the possible departure of Mike Ashley. But how does a deal actually happen? Our expert reveals all.

Journalist Alice Vincent has written about finding peace in her plants after a breakup. Rootbound: Rewilding A Life described how her long-term boyfriend broke up with her over breakfast.

Sebastian Barry is currently reading Transcendence: How Humans Evolved Through Fire, Language, Beauty And Time by Gaia Vince. He said he was unable to read until he was eight.

Hamnet is Maggie O'Farrell's first foray into historical fiction, and, as with her contemporary work. It follows Hamnet, the young, day-dreamy son of William Shakespeare.