UK weather – Heavy rain & thunder to strike today as band of downpours sweeps across Britain before 22C Easter scorcher

HEAVY rain and thunder will strike Britain TODAY in a band of short-lived downpours.

But Brits can pack away the brollies ahead of the weekend – as the country is set to bask in a 22C Easter scorcher.

A band of rain will move north from this morning, bringing thunder to Wales and the South West, the Met Office's forecast suggests.

Meanwhile, wind speeds could hit 60mph in higher ground as the short burst of dire weather sweeps in.

Even so, temperatures will remain a balmy 17C in the South East of England.

And the mercury will stay in the double-digits up north too with a mild 14C to be enjoyed in Carlisle.

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Later in the week, temperatures in the south east could hit a scorching 22C after a northwest-southeast split sees the south bask in a spring scorcher.

But, forecasters have warned there may be the odd shower and persistent low cloud in coastal areas.

Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said: "If people are travelling for sunshine, then further eastern areas are more likely to see that brighter weather.

"I think in the main for the bank holiday weekend, we'll see temperatures quite widely above average across the UK and hopefully they could be very warm in the South East in particular.

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"Warmer than average certainly, but nowhere near heatwave criteria.

"It will definitely be warmer than the week we've just had and last week."

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The warmest temperature of the year so far has been 20.8C, meaning the highs predicted for the South East on the weekend would set a new record for 2022.

She said: "We'll see temperatures generally come up through the week.