MIXED WEATHER FOR TOUR PELOTON
Cyclists taking part in the first stages of the Tour de France this weekend will get a real taste of the British summer with a mixture of sunshine and showers.
Riders will be hit with heavy rain as they set off on the Grand Depart on Saturday, but will see brighter and drier conditions over the following days.
Those planning to watch the world's top cyclists as they begin the gruelling challenge are advised to take brollies and raincoats as they wave the peloton off.
The first three stages of the event will see cyclists travel from Leeds to Harrogate on Saturday before the second leg the next day sees them ride from York to Sheffield, followed by Cambridge to London on Monday.
John Griffiths, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: "It's going to be a very wet start. Rain is expected to move in on Friday night and Saturday morning will see rain across pretty much the entirety of the UK.
"It's going to start easing up in the afternoon leaving scattered showers and sunnier outbreaks.
"Sunday will be a bit better. There is a chance of showers but it will be mainly dry with sunny spells."
He added that Monday will also see a mixture of patchy cloud and sunnier periods as cyclists head to the capital.
The warmest weather is expected on Monday, when the mercury is expected to rise to a maximum of 21C (69.8F) compared to 20C (68F) over the weekend.
