Today (Tuesday June 21) is the first day of summer, which also means its the longest day - and shortest night - of the year. Also known as the summer solstice, the sun rose at 4.39am in Manchester this morning and won't set until 9.41pm tonight.
And the region really has been treated to some beautiful, warm weather ahead of the official start of summer, with spells of glorious sunshine last week as well as yesterday. The trend continues today, with the temperature forecast to hit 23C and the rain to stay at bay for now.
Today will be a fine day with the best of the warm sunshine in the south of the north west, according to the Met Office. It will be a bright start in Greater Manchester, with the sun and clear skies stopping around until 11am.
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From then some clouds might appear, but they will have cleared up by 3pm when the temperature hits its peak. Tonight, the temperature will cool down, but only to 15C at its minimum. Tomorrow (Wednesday 22 June) will be another fine and dry day with plenty of sunny spells.
Thursday will turn warmer still, with temperatures hitting 25C - but this will be short-lived, as conditions will become slightly cooler and much wetter on Friday.
Hour-by-hour forecast for Greater Manchester on Tuesday 21 June
8am: Sunny, 13C
9am: Sunny, 15C
10am: Sunny, 17C
11am: Sunny intervals, 18C
12pm: Sunny intervals, 20C
1pm: Cloudy, 21C
2pm: Sunny intervals, 22C
3pm: Sunny, 23C
4pm: Sunny, 23C
5pm: Sunny, 23C
6pm: Sunny, 22C
7pm: Sunny, 22C
8pm: Sunny, 21C
9pm: Sunny intervals, 20C
10pm: Clear, 19C
11pm: Clear, 18C
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