The UK has experienced its warmest April 7 on record, the Met Office said as the country also enjoyed the hottest day of the year so far – with the mercury hitting 20.8C in Wales
The UK has witnessed its warmest April 7 on record, the Met Office confirmed as the nation also basked in the hottest day of the year thus far.
Temperatures climbed on Tuesday, with 24.8C registered in Mona, on the island of Anglesey in north Wales. Wednesday is expected to feel even warmer, especially in central and south-east England, where temperatures could hit 26C, which is “well above” the early April average of 12C to 15C.
The Met Office said: “The highest temperatures in the UK have been in north-west Wales today. Here we’ve had the warmest 7th April on record and the highest temperature of 2026 so far. We’re very likely to see higher temperatures as we move through the rest of spring and towards summer.”
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By 4pm it will be hotter in the UK capital than Cairo in Egypt and Athens in Greece, according to the BBC’s weather map.
Temperatures are also predicted to exceed Tunis, Tunisia, and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, at roughly the same time.
For some, the warmth is especially well-timed, coinciding with school Easter holidays, as crowds descended on the beach to soak up the sunshine.
Brighton and Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey said: “There really is no place like Brighton when the sun is shining and we’re definitely seeing people keen to take advantage of the sunshine today – not just on the beach itself, but also visiting our brilliant seafront cafes and bars, or enjoying a walk along the prom.
“Our new seafront park in Hove has been incredibly busy as well, with families making the most of the school holidays at our skatepark. We’re officially the sunniest city in England and we know how to have fun when the sun it out.”
A spokesperson for Weymouth Town Council said: “It’s been wonderful to see so many people choosing to enjoy the sun on Weymouth beach and we’re looking forward to welcoming more visitors to our town, so they can enjoy all the fun our resort has to offer. Roll on summer!”
A spokesperson for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council said: “It’s great to see people enjoying BCP’s beautiful beaches in the warm weather, and we want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable visit.
“With seafront facilities fully open, visitors can look forward to land trains, cafes and attractions across the promenade, offering plenty to enjoy for families, day trippers and holidaymakers.
“We urge anyone considering a swim to follow the RNLI’s water safety advice, and remind beachgoers that disposable BBQs are only permitted on the beach between 6pm and 10.30pm.”
Webcams also captured crowds soaking up the sun at Lyme Regis beach in Dorset.
Met Office chief forecaster Paul Gundersen said: “We’re seeing a brief but notable spell of very warm weather for early April, with temperatures more typically associated with late spring or early summer.
“This could be the warmest spell at this point in April since 2020, a year many will remember because of the Covid‐19 lockdown. However, this warmth will be short-lived, with a marked drop in temperatures and more unsettled conditions developing later this week. In some areas, daytime temperatures could fall by around 10C between Wednesday and Thursday.”
