Brits basked in the sunshine on the warmest day of the year today with temperatures soaring to 17.5C in parts of the UK. With the weather warmer than Mediterranean hotspots such as Rome and Athens, people up and down Britain flocked to parks, beaches and beer gardens to welcome in the beginning of spring. Temperatures in eastern Scotland, London and south east England were around five degrees warmer than average, however western Scotland was hit by rain. Scroll down for video . Packed: Thousands of people flocked to Brighton Beach today on the warmest day of the year today with temperatures soaring to 17.5C . The warm weather struck Brighton today, where thousands hit the beach to bask in the warm weather . Punting down the River Cam was a popular activity today as the country basked in temperatures about five degrees warmer than the average for this time of year . The Brighton seafront was packed today as locals and day-trippers took some time to enjoy the fine weather . Locals play volleyball on Brighton beach (left) and a member of the Brighton and Hove Sea Swimming Club goes for a dip in the sea (right) A woman relaxes on a deck chair at Brighton Pier today during the weekend hot spell . The previous record this year was set in Exeter on January 9 when temperatures reached 16.5C. Craig Snell, forecaster at the Met Office, said: 'It has been very pleasant day for many parts of the UK. 'Most of the country has seen the warmest day of the year with the exception of western Scotland, where it has been quite wet. 'As we go through tomorrow the rain will clear Scotland and make its way south towards England and Wales. 'Temperatures will return to around average, with highs of 10C (50F) to 11C (51.8F), cooling off a little bit but still not cold by any means. 'As we go into Sunday night it will be cold, with temperatures close to freezing in many spots if the sky is clear. 'Next week will see quite changeable weather but nothing out of the ordinary for this time of year.' Groups of people relax by the Thames in Kingston, Surrey, today where temperatures were on track to be the warmest of the year . Two tourists go for a walk near the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol this morning . Even the swans on the Thames appeared to be enjoying the sun, as they gathered near the Kingston Bridge . A man sunbathes in Bute Park, Cardiff, during the unseasonably warm weather across Britain today . Yellow 'be aware' and amber 'be prepared' warnings will be in place until tomorrow afternoon for heavy rain over western and central parts of Scotland, which may see up to 200mm of rain over 36 hours. The worst hit were Cluanie Inn in the Highlands, which suffered 111mm from midday yesterday to midday today, and Kinlochewe in Wester Ross which saw 56.6mm between midnight last night and midday today. The Met Office also put a yellow warning in place for winds in the far north of Northern Ireland and the whole of Scotland from Monday morning to Tuesday morning. Gusts are expected to reach around 60/70mph, with the potential to get up to 80mph in the most exposed parts of western and northern Scotland. A group of friends relax in the sun today in Bute Park, Cardiff, where local temperatures were expected to reach 14C . Left, a woman goes for a bike ride through Cardiff this morning, while right, a man photographs the blossoming spring flowers . Locals in north London's Hampstead Heath take their dogs for a run around the park today, where temperatures could yet exceed this year's record of 16.5C . A woman goes for an early morning walk with her two dogs through Hampstead Heath, north London . Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill had earlier said that there was a '50 per cent' chance Britain would experience the hottest day of the year. The mild spring weather is likely to be short lived - the Met Office has forecast tomorrow to see  13C with 'pleasant sunshine' in the south, east and Midlands, before rain sweeps south later in the day, with rain for most and gales up to 60mph on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said: 'Sunday is due 12C or higher locally if cloud breaks, before rain pushes south. 'All areas will see rain on Monday, with heavy rain and gales or severe gales in the North-West. Tuesday will be fine with 13C, but with rain and strong winds for most on Wednesday and Thursday.' A man goes for a walk near Blaise Castle in Bristol this morning as sunny weather blasted Britain . Blaise Castle, Bristol, looked picturesque today as some of the warmest weather conditions of the year struck Britain . Bristol basked in clear blue skies this afternoon, while temperatures in parts of the country inched past 16C . Those in Gravesend witnessed a stunning sunrise over the River Thames this morning as it gave way to warm weather . Temperatures in London and south east England are the warmest of the country today, forecasters say. Pictured is the sunrise over Gravesend this morning . A young girl goes for a spin on her scooter as Lyndsay Bowen and her daughter Orla, 3, catch the sun in Littlehampton . A sunbather takes some time out to relax on Brighton Beach today as Britain enjoyed the warmest day of the year . Locals relax by the River Cam in Cambridge today, as parts of Britain were warmer than many Mediterranean hotspots . A woman relaxes with a beer on the River Cam, Cambridge . Temperatures are expected to peak this afternoon before a colder spell moves across the country tomorrow. Pictured is the River Cam, Cambridge . The warm weather is expected to be short lived and is expected to cool off tomorrow. Pictured is a jogger in Bute Park, Cardiff . A cyclist pedals through Bute Park this morning. Forecasters have warned tomorrow is due to drop to 12C before rain pushes south . Rowers power down the River Taff, Cardiff, as the country rejoiced with mild temperatures signalling the start of spring .
Forecasters say there is a '50 per cent chance' today's mild weather will set warmest day of the year benchmark . Temperatures in eastern Scotland, London and south east England are almost five degrees warmer than average . Much of the country basked in sunshine today as spring arrived, bringing with it mild temperatures and bright spells .