FROM promises of sizzling sunshine to average temperatures, strong winds and rain, Scotland's summertime has reverted to type.

Forecasters have said predictions of hot weather will prove false with the next few days of warm, dry weather not expected to last, despite the fact that Scotland experienced better weather yesterday than rain-hit Majorca.

However, the start of the summer season will be drier and warmer than average with Scotland expected to enjoy a pleasant weekend.

The few days of predicted sunshine led to headlines of “Flaming June”, sun-cream warnings and ideal beach weather.

Aberdeen is expected to see temperatures top 24C today, Glasgow 23 degrees and Edinburgh 22 degrees, considerably higher than Majorca’s 19 degrees, where thunderstorms are expected.

Andy Murray’s bid to reach the final of the French Open in Paris today against Rafa Nadal will take place in cooler, partly cloudier weather than in Scotland.

However, experts have poured water on the premature claims, instead saying June is looking distinctly average.

Helen Chivers of the Met Office said: “We are not seeing the hot spell lasting terribly long. For pretty much all the UK we have currently got a couple of days of predominantly dry weather.

“Temperatures today should be reaching the mid-20s; pretty much everywhere will be in the low to mid-20 degrees.

“The highest temperatures today will be in eastern parts of Scotland. Aberdeenshire should see temperatures up to 26 degrees.”

Accurate long forecasts are not possible but the forecaster rejected the idea Wimbledon and Glastonbury would broil under a scorching sun.

Predicting between June 16 and 30 -- taking in both events -- Ms Chivers added: “UK sunshine amounts are slightly above average and temperatures around the UK look to be normal so that’s why we are concerned about some of the headlines coming out.”

From the end of June across the southern half of the UK temperatures are predicted to range from 18 to 21 degrees.

“Exactly what we would expect on a late June day,” she said. “Tomorrow will be slightly warmer than today but temperatures will drop by Sunday.

“Early next week north-westerly winds are likely to bring outbreaks of rain as well so make the best of the sunshine across the next few days.”

Billy Payne of forecasters Meteogroup said: “Next week is looking quite unsettled … it doesn’t look like it’s going to be anything special.”

However, the summer’s hottest temperature could be 33 degrees in the south “but the general picture is for a mixed season, and one which will not be remembered as a classic”.

Meanwhile, parts of the UK have benefited from one of the warmest and driest springs for more than 100 years, according to Met Office reports.

The south and east of Britian have basked in balmy temperatures but places further north and east stayed wet.

Across England and Wales, it was the second driest spring since 1910 and the driest spring since 1990 but Argyll was sodden with 538.6mm of rainfall -- up nearly 100mm on its 422mm average.

Central England saw an average temperature of 10.3 degrees, the highest since monthly records began in 1659.

Another forecaster, Allison Cobb, said: “It is going to be very pleasant across the UK over the next few days with lots of sunshine and temperatures in the mid-20s, which is warmer than average for the time of year.

“On Saturday it starts to turn a bit cooler and cloudier in northern parts with some drizzle as a cold front swings southwards across the UK.

“Southern areas will still be quite nice and dry and sunny with temperatures in the mid to low 20s, although northern parts will see temperatures drop down to the teens.”

Sunday is expected to be cooler in the south with temperatures dropping to the upper teens Celsius, and drizzle expected in Scotland and Ireland.