Make the most of the sunshine - a touch of winter is to bite back.

Parts of Britain were expected to be as hot as the Med today with temperatures expected to equal the holiday resort of Ibiza.

And although Huddersfield was not as warm, temperatures were still expected to be above the average for this time of year for the third day in a row.

But Huddersfield weather expert Paul Stevens expects things to change later in the week, with temperatures dropping below average and the chance of wintry showers in some areas.

As the Queen celebrates her 89th birthday today, forecasters are predicting another day of balmy weather and blue skies.

The mercury is expected to hit 18C (64F) in London which is higher than average for this time of year.

In Huddersfield it was expected to be a couple of degrees cooler, perhaps up to 16C, but still better than normal.

Mr Stevens, of Salendine Nook, said: “I think today will be the peak of the spell of good weather when it has felt really Spring-like, if not Summer-like at times.

“Wednesday is likely to stay mild but with more hazy cloud and as we head into Thursday things change noticeably.

“The high pressure which has brought warm air from the Continent will make way for low pressure from over the North Sea and that will bring in a band of rain overnight Thursday into Friday and a drop in temperatures.

“The weekend will see temperatures at or just below double figures and if the showers come there is a chance of some sleet or snow on the hills and possibly a ground frost at night.

“That period of unsettled weather looks as though it will be with us well into next week”.

Elsewhere in the UK, patchy rain and breezier conditions are expected to hit at the weekend, and could bring unsettled conditions as runners line up for the London Marathon on Sunday morning.

This shot from Golcar shows Castle Hill and the Emley Moor TV mast rising about the valley mists. Picture by Mark Mercer