West Midlands weather: Hottest day of the year before thunder strikes herald Bank Holiday weekend
Sunshine and sweltering temperatures have people jumping for joy in the West Midlands ready for the Bank Holiday weekend.
With temperatures rising to 25C (77F) in the Black Country and Staffordshire today, it was definitely time to cool off.
Luckily the splash pools at Walsall Arboretum were opening for the summer - and young Grace Ball, aged six, of Bloxwich, was among those celebrating.
In parts of the UK it was set to be the hottest day of the year today with temperatures hitting 30C (86F).
But those hoping for a scorching bank holiday may be disappointed.
Check out the weather forecast for the Bank Holiday weekend
Forecasters predict temperatures will start to drop on Saturday with a chance of rain and thunderstorms throughout the long weekend.
MeteoGroup forecaster Sabrina Lee said: "Of the bank holiday weekend, tomorrow is the best day.
"It just turns cooler over time then with an increased risk of showers."
She said the last day of the working week could see the mercury hit 28C (82F) in parts but by Saturday, while the temperature is likely to remain warm with a high of 27C (81F) parts of the Midlands may experience thundery showers.
The wet weather is expected to be widespread in the morning but confined to Northern Ireland and Scotland by the afternoon.
Temperatures are set to dip further on Sunday.
Ms Lee said: "Much of the country is going to be dry on Sunday but we do have rain moving into southern and central parts of the country and some of this rain could be heavy and thundery."
Ms Lee said the temperature would remain "pleasant" throughout the break despite the weather's changeability and Monday was set to be the coolest day with predicted highs of 21C (70F).
She said a Spanish plume was what had caused this week's balmy weather.
"Over the next few days we have got air originating from Iberia and then from about Saturday onwards it starts to break down and the air comes from elsewhere which is why those temperatures are starting to dip," she said.
"It starts off nice and warm and it starts to break down then with the showers and thunderstorms and the temperature is still pleasant but they're going to be cooler than what we have seen over the last few days."
