Southend should start to see the summer weather return before the end of the week, forecasters have said. 

The Essex Weather Centre revealed temperatures were colder in they county yesterday - the day of summer solstice - than they were on the shortest day of the year back on December 21. 

And despite forecasters predicting a chilly few nights ahead, they say the warmer weather will return after days of wet and windy weather. 

Here is the Met office's forecast for Southend this week:

Tuesday

Cloudy and dry for most of the day, with temperatures peaking at 15c.

Wednesday

A mixture of cloud and sun throughout the morning, before skies clear around 3pm. 

Top temperatures of 18c are expected. 

Thursday

After a bright and sunny start, cloud will begin to come over from 1pm and make it a cloudy end to the day. 

But temperatures will be back to the average for the time of year, with highs of 21c forecast.

Friday

A mixture of sunshine and showers are expected, but forecasters say there will be an increasing threat of light showers from lunchtime onwards. 

It won't be quite as warm as Thursday, with temperatures hitting 19c. 

Saturday - Sunday

Saturday is expected to be a cloudier day, with the threat of showers once again a possibility for Southend. The Met Office says some parts of Eastern England could even see thunderstorms. 

Sunday will also be cloudy, but there will be some sunny intervals as well. 

Top temperatures of 19c are forecast for both Saturday and Sunday. 

In its long range forecast, the Met Office is predicting temperatures to remain at or slightly above the average for the time of year. 

It says largely settled weather is expected next week, though there is the chance of some more rain hitting southern and eastern parts of England.