Britain will enjoy a heatwave this week as rain and galeforce winds give way to blazing sunshine.

Temperatures are set to soar to 28C (82F) next weekend with the weather at holiday resorts in the UK to rival those in the Mediterranean.

Britons are expected to flock to parks and beaches and get out their barbecues to make the most of the period of sunshine, which starts on Wednesday.

The balmy weather predicted is in stark contrast to the first half of the week, when much of the country will be blighted by rain, wind and below-average temperatures.

Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: “It is a real contrast in weather from the early part to the end of the week.

Monday and Tuesday will be cool and often wet and windy. But then the high pressure starts to build across the UK and and it certainly becomes very warm and locally hot in the south.

“Wednesday is the transition day from the unsettled to the better weather, with temperatures reaching around 20C (68F) in the south.

Friday into the weekend will see a much bigger increase with strong sunshine. Certainly it is good weather for getting out and about. May has been cool and the temperatures below average, so it is quite a contrast – a big change in the coming week.”

Temperatures will struggle to get into the low teens in the north on Sunday and into the beginning of next week. Blustery showers and galeforce winds are expected to hit on Sunday, while forecasters are warning of heavy rain and thundery showers on Tuesday.

But the weather will dramatically improve in the second half of the week and the mercury is predicted to rise to 28C (82F) in the south on Friday and Saturday as warm air from the continent drifts over Britain.