IT was forecast to be one of the nicest days of the year so far with blazing sunshine and temperatures up to 24C (75F).

But people across the south have had to put down the sun cream and dig out their wellies for a thundery downpour instead.

Yesterday was the hottest day of the year and the hottest place to be in the UK was on the Solent with sunny weather continuing into the weekend.

As many people in Hampshire have taken days off work to soak up the sun, they are instead left wondering how they could have got it so wrong.

But there's still time for hot sunny weather today.

The Met Office has told the Daily Echo that the thunderstorms and rain have come from Northern France and they should become lighter throughout the morning.

A Met Office spokeswoman said: “The hot air can bring in rain, and thunder moved in from Northern France over night.”

This afternoon is still expected to be sunny with temperatures above 20C (68F).

The weekend is also expected to be pleasant, with no rain tomorrow.