Met Office weather forecasters say this week could bring the hottest day of the year so far as Brits face an 18C heat blast which should make the country warmer than Ibiza
This week could bring the hottest day of the year so far, according to the Met Office.
Advanced weather modelling maps suggest temperatures will rise well above the seasonal average on Wednesday and Thursday. Areas of deep red on the temperature anomaly maps correlate to where the mercury is expected to rise higher than is expected for this time of year.
The maps show huge swathes of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland can expect warmer-than-expected temperatures. Thursday should be the warmer of the two days, the data suggests.
And this now matches up with what the Met Office has said as meteorological spring begins. The national weather agency reckons Thursday could be the hottest day of the year so far.
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High pressure will build on Tuesday, with maximum temperatures of 14C, rising to 16C on Wednesday and peaking at 18C on Thursday. This would make the UK warmer than several holiday hotspots across Europe including Ibiza, where highs of just 14C are forecast for Thursday.
Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk said: “Tuesday will be fine and settled for most, with the best of the sunshine across Northern Ireland, north England and Scotland, but more mixed to the south with sunny spells and drizzly showers. Temperatures peaking at 14C in the south.”
Wednesday will be fine for most, with the best of the sunshine across Wales and England, while Northern Ireland and south-west Scotland can expect cloud and rain.
Temperatures will peak on Thursday with highs of 18C in the south east, Ms Chalk said. The sunshine will be focused across the south east of England, while the west of the UK can expect outbreaks.
Last week, temperatures reached 18.7C in Kew Gardens, which was the hottest day of the year so far. There is a possibility Thursday could beat that, the forecaster said. Friday will be mostly dry with maximum temperatures of 14C.
Meanwhile, the BBC Weather forecast states: “Wednesday will be mostly dry with sunny spells and areas of cloud. A few overnight fog patches are likely, and northern parts will see early frosts.
“Thursday looks to turn more unsettled again with a band of rain moving in from the west, but the east and south-east look to remain dry and bright. Friday may bring variable cloud and some rain in the north-west and south-east.”
