TEMPERATURES were set to soar as high as 23C today making it the warmest day of 2010.

TEMPERATURES were set to soar as high as 23C today making it the warmest day of 2010.

But people planning barbecues for the bank holiday weekend have been warned

that temperatures will plummet with showers predicted around most of England.

Paul Knightley, a forecaster at MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said average temperatures for this time of year were usually around 15C.

He said: “The temperatures could reach 23C in the London area today if we can get some good spells of sunshine.

“There is a reasonable chance we could have the hottest day of the year

today.

“The South East has been pretty warm over the last few days but unfortunately it is not going to last into the bank holiday weekend.

“Low pressure will spread from the west over the next 48 hours.

“The east and west will have a very showery day on Saturday.

“Some northern parts will not be as bad but will be turning cooler because the winds will be coming in from the north.

“It is predicted temperatures on Sunday will be 6C but could reach up to 11C.

“Scotland could reach anywhere between 7C and 10C.”

Mr Knightley said that it looked like Monday would be the best day of the

weekend, mostly dry with temperatures in the region of 12C.