IT MAY be the summer solstice, but anyone hoping to enjoy a spectacular sunset is more likely to witness rainfall.

Forecasters from the Met Office have warned that the sunset in Brighton will be mired in cloud as murky conditions continue into the evening.

Temperatures are below average for this time of the year at around 13-14C today.

Heavy rain and blustery winds will remain into the early hours of tomorrow morning, but it will become less wet in the afternoon.

Meteorologist Alex Burkill said that Tuesday was likely to be the driest day of the week, but wet weather would reach most areas in the midweek.

He added that temperatures could also drop mid-week and the north of England possibly dropping below zero overnight from Wednesday to Thursday.

Mr Burkill added that the forecast for next weekend remained unclear but he said there was a chance of settled, brighter weather although he could not rule out further rainfall.

The continuing wet weather follows high temperatures in parts of southern England last week reaching as high as 28C (82.4F) on Wednesday.

This was followed by parts of the South East seeing up to a month’s worth of rainfall in one day including Otterbourne, Hampshire, which saw 67mm of rainfall from 11pm Thursday to 5pm Friday, and Dancers End, Drayton Parslow, Toddington and southern Farnborough, which had rainfall between 65mm and 57mm.

Below is the Met Office forecast for the rest of the week:

Tuesday:

A fine and dry day with plenty of sunshine in the west where feeling warm. Breezy and slightly cloudier in the east, giving a cooler feel, particularly along coastal areas. Maximum temperature 18 °C.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Plenty of sunshine on Wednesday. Becoming increasingly cloudy after a sunny start on Thursday, with afternoon showers. Cooler and cloudy on Friday, with outbreaks of mainly light rain.

Friday, June 25 – Sunday, July 4

Friday will see generally average temperatures, and a band of cloud and rain across central and southern parts gradually moving southeastwards throughout the day; drier, sunnier conditions to be expected further northwest.

Then, predominantly dry weather is likely for most, but with briefly more unsettled spells of rain or showers for southern and eastern parts, as well as more prolonged rain for the northwest of the UK. Winds are most likely remaining light to moderate throughout, with temperatures hovering at or slightly above average for the time of year.

Confidence becomes lower later into the period, but there is a chance of high pressure building for a time. This will most likely bring further periods of settled weather, interspersed with brief more unsettled spells.