People enjoy the sun in St Jame's Park
(Picture: PA)Londoners can expect glorious sunshine over the Jubilee weekend as temperatures soar to 21C.
Revellers flocking to street parties and other outdoor events in the capital can expect warm and dry weather, with plenty of sunny spells, forecasters at the Met Office said.
The unsettled and unseasonably cool start to the week – with some areas seeing below-freezing temperatures on Monday morning – will gradually give way to brighter weather in time for the long weekend.
Met Office forecaster Matthew Box told the Standard: “At the moment across much of the south-east Thursday looks set to be dry and there could be some cloud around making the dry weather hazier sunshine.
“It will be bright and sunny at first on Thursday with increasing amounts of cloud and perhaps a risk of some showers in the English channel area.”
He said the picture in London “looks encouraging” with temperatures of between 17C to 21C expected.
He added: “Temperature-wise it could be 17C to 21C on Thursday. It depends on how much sunshine we get and how thick the cloud is from the south. Currently it is looking fine and dry with plenty of sunshine on Friday at times towards the east and south.
“There is likely to be settled weather on the weekend. There is a chance of cloudiness at times and showers likely to be kept near the continent over the weekend.
“It is likely to stay dry with warm temperatures and a small chance of one or two little showers.”
There could be occasional showers but these will be confined to areas in the far south-east such as East Sussex or Kent.
Met Office meteorologist Richard Miles added: “It’s fine and dry rather than major sunshine, but good sunny spells.
“Most people should see a bit of sunshine”.
But revellers going to outdoor celebrations would be wise to be ready for all eventualities.
“You’d be unlucky if you had to use the umbrella, but take one just in case, because you can never know,” Mr Miles said.
“You’re more likely to need the sunglasses than the umbrella.”
