THE mercury in East Lancashire is set to tip 27C as the area basks under the hot summer sun today.

But less than 24 hours later, flashfloods, thunderstorms and even hailstorms could batter the area, including the sold-out Beat-Herder music festival in the Ribble Valley, the Met Office warned.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Today’s good weather has been caused by hot air from the Mediterranean.

A Met Office spokesman said: “Temperatures will reach 26 or 27C today, and people will definitely need to wear suncream.

“There won’t be any cloud cover until around 9pm, and with very, very warm nights, there will be no respite.”

But by Saturday the good weather will have break with heavy rain.

Huncoat weather expert Roy Chetham said: “This isn’t unusual for this time of year. We have had a few bad summers, which makes this summer seem quite good,.

“It’s not a heatwave or drought just yet.

“On Saturday, any storms will be of a showery nature. One part of a town maybe inundated and another part will see nothing, so people’s experiences will be quite varied. But we don’t know yet. It’s only a forecast.”

The AA said it was expecting a ‘significant increase’ in breakdowns, mostly due to overheating. Motorists have been urged to check their tyres, coolant levels and to make sure their cooling fan is working properly.

The AA was also advising drivers to stay tuned to local radio for traffic and weather updates.

Spokesman Mark Spowage said: “Changing conditions on Saturday will bring torrential thundery showers in places. While they are likely to be shortlived, water will quickly run off, causing localised flash-flooding as well as making the roads slippery.

“Keep your speed down and don’t risk driving through flood water.”

Lancashire’s fire service warned against swimming in open waters in an effort to cool down. Last month, James Goodship, 17, from Colne, drowned at Lake Burwain.

A spokesman said: “When the temperatures are warmer, you may be tempted to cool off with a swim in a local river, lake or the sea.

“However, despite the water looking still and calm, the currents can be deceiving.”