IN PICTURES: Crowds sunbathe on Brighton beach Brighton News

Those who wish to soak up the sun have found a rare spot on the pebble beach, with many braving the sea to cool off from the roasting temperatures.

Hundreds of people have opted for outdoor gardens instead, with live music and DJ sets in some venues.

The influx of shoppers brought traffic to a halt in the city center, with motorists lining up to access parking lots, creating a bottleneck between Lewes Road and the A259.

The heat wave was a record for the year so far, after recording 24.6C at Kinloss in Scotland, according to the Met Office.

This surpassed the previous high of 2021, which was set for March 30 at Kew Gardens in southwest London, when the temperature reached 24.5 ° C.

It comes just after two days of glorious weather over the long weekend, which sent Britons flocking to parks and beaches across the country.

However, the record high temperatures aren’t supposed to last, as Becky Mitchell, a Met Office meteorologist, warned there could be thunderstorms on the way.

She said: “There will potentially be thunderstorms in the middle of the week, the first episode of downpours will arrive in parts of the southwest and there will be a few thunderstorms in there.

“There’s a chance a thunderstorm will break out in the southeast and we could have some pretty intense storms there.

“There is still a lot of uncertainty, but with the hot and humid weather we have, we have the key ingredients for thunderstorms.”

Storms in the southwest are expected to hit Wednesday, with the southeast ahead a bit wet by Friday.

The heatwave comes just weeks before the final leg of the government’s roadmap when restrictions last eased on June 21.

Nightclubs should reopen and restrictions on major events such as festivals should be lifted, as should restrictions on the number of people at weddings.

The work from home message is also expected to be lifted in an effort to bring suburban commerce back to city centers.

The government website explains, “As the country goes through each of these phases of the roadmap, we all need to remember that Covid-19 is still a part of our lives.

“We the public are going to have to continue living our lives differently to protect ourselves and others. We have to continue with ‘hands, face, space.’ Respect the Coid-Secure measures that remain in place.

“Go outside when we can and let in the fresh air. Get tested if necessary. Get vaccinated when offered. If we all continue to play our roles, we will be one step closer to a future that is more familiar to us. ”