Britons are set to experience a significant rise in temperatures this week, with some areas in the UK expected to be hotter than popular holiday destinations across Europe.
According to forecasts from the Met Office, temperatures could reach highs of 17C on Wednesday and potentially climb to 18C on Thursday, making it the hottest day of the year so far.
Weather maps from the Met Office indicate that London may see temperatures hitting 17C by 3pm on Wednesday. Across England, temperatures are expected to range from 15C to 16C, while Northern Ireland could experience 11C and Scotland 12C.
On Thursday, London is projected to reach highs of 18C, with the north of England at 16C and Wales at 15C. In contrast, Northern Ireland and Scotland are anticipated to be cooler, with temperatures struggling to reach double digits.
Comparatively, the Met Office website forecasts that Benidorm in Spain will only reach 14C on Wednesday, with a slight increase to 15C expected on Thursday.
Temperature anomaly maps show that on Wednesday and Thursday, temperatures will surpass the seasonal average for this time of year. Areas highlighted in deep red on the maps, covering England and Wales, indicate temperatures well above normal levels.
The Met Office has suggested that Thursday could potentially be the hottest day of the year so far. Last week, temperatures peaked at 18.7C in Kew Gardens, marking the highest temperature recorded in 2026.
BBC Weather predicts dry and sunny conditions later in the week, with a band of rain moving in from the west on Thursday. By Friday, cloud cover and light rain are expected to be limited to the southeast, with most areas experiencing dry and sunny spells. Saturday is likely to be dry for the majority, with some sun and a chance of showers in the south.
The Met Office forecasts rain impacting northern and western regions on Thursday, while warm sunshine is expected elsewhere. Patchy rain is set to clear southeastwards on Friday, potentially returning to the south and southwest on Saturday. Overall, the weather is expected to remain fine but will gradually turn cooler.
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