AFTER weeks of chilly days it is now time to slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat when you go out as today is expected to be the hottest of the year so far.

Temperatures of up to 24C are forecast for the News Shopper region today (May 20) and it will be even warmer over the weekend with 25.2C predicted for Sunday.

Make the most of it though as the country will cool off next week with temperatures likely to return to the May average of 15C.

Gemma Plumb, forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: "Temperatures will range between 24C and 26C from Friday to Sunday.

“Sea mist will keep temperatures cooler in coastal areas, but further inland it will feel very warm.”

Ms Plumb says warm, humid air was being brought to the UK this week by a high pressure system moving up from Spain, and added: "Cooler air will move in gradually next week, allowing temperatures to return to the average for this time of year, although it will stay above the average for longer in the South."

Independent forecaster Positive Weather Solutions (PWS), which accurately predicted last year's wet summer, is forecasting great weather for the months ahead.

PWS senior weather forecaster Jonathan Powell said: "The pattern through June is unlikely to be all that stable, so expect some rain as we pass through mid-month, although again, there will be some pleasant sunshine from time to time, keeping temperatures on the warm to possibly very warm side."

He went on: "July too starts on an unsettled note, with some rain around, but summer will emerge, and we can expect some decent drier spells and some warm to very warm temperatures.

“Towards mid-August, there will still be some pleasant weather around with long spells of sunshine."