England may be sweltering in a heatwave but the summer sun is set to leave Northern Ireland’s skies for the foreseeable future.

Although sunworhippers enjoyed hours of unbroken sunshine across much of the province yesterday, forecasters have warned of more stormy conditions arriving today.

A spokesman for Meteogroup said: “Wednesday is going to be a cloudy day with outbreaks of rain on and off. Thunderstorms could develop just about anywhere.

“By Thursday the weather will have completely turned. It will be somewhat fresher throughout.

“It’s still going to be staying changeable with the risk of heavy showers.

“On Friday we’re likely to see some decent thundery activity with an active front system coming in from the west bringing showers and thunderstorms.”

And weekend plans are unlikely to include beaches for most of the population, given what lies in store.

“The weekend will be horrible, really — breezy, cloudy and with plenty of showers.”

As for whether we could be in for the sort of weather scorching England and Wales: “It’s certainly possible — just not at the moment.”

But even while casting an envious eye to the 30C-plus temperatures being enjoyed elsewhere, there was still plenty of good weather to go round Northern Ireland yesterday. After an overcast start there was sunshine aplenty, with mercury rising to 24.3 degrees in Ballykelly, Co Londonderry, which was Northern Ireland’s hottest spot yesterday.

Castlederg in Co Tyrone — previously holder of the hot spot title — languished behind with a high temperature of 22.9. Office workers in Belfast hung out around the City Hall on their lunch breaks enjoying 22 degree sunshine.