The UK could smash the record for its hottest March day ever today as temperatures surge above 25C.
The warm weather coaxed many Brits out of their houses on Tuesday with parks, beaches and beauty spots busy.
Temperatures peaked at 24.5C at Kew Gardens in West London - only just shy of the March record of 25.6C recorded in Cambridgeshire in 1968.
The mercury is set to go even higher today, with Met Office forecasters saying it is "possible" the record could be broken.
Sun-seekers, who the government will be hoping resist large gatherings after the busy scenes on Tuesday, may not have long to enjoy the good weather.
Temperatures are set to fall by half in just two days ahead of the Easter weekend when wintry showers will hit.
Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill said: "It (the temperature) is exceptionally high for the time of year.
"It's the second warmest March day on record.
"Temperatures could be a touch higher tomorrow than they were today.
"Whether it will beat the 25.6C, I'm not so sure. It's on a knife edge.
"It's not out of the question, but I'm not expecting it to. It's a possibility."
But Matt Hancock said that while people enjoy the sun, they need to be careful not to "blow it" at this stage of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Health Secretary tweeted: "Let's enjoy the sun but let's do it safely. We have come so far, don't blow it now."
Temperatures increased by more than 20C in less than four hours in Santon Downham, west Suffolk, earlier in the day.
The village saw the mercury climb from a frosty minus 1.6C (29.1F) at 7am to 19C (66.2F) shortly before 11am.
Temperatures are forecast to hit 24C (75.2F) to 25C (77F) on Wednesday, with the highest figures expected around London.
The Met Office earlier tweeted there would be "exceptional warmth" and "massive" temperature contrasts as the month comes to a close.
Mr Burkill said: "The warmth is going to be very widespread across the bulk of England and Wales.
"Northern Ireland and many parts of Scotland will be cooler by tomorrow, so a little bit fresher.
"For most, it will be largely sunny, with a few bits of fair-weather cloud in England and Wales.
"In Northern Ireland and Scotland it will be cloudier with a band of rain edging its way southwards."
Mr Burkill said Wales recorded its hottest day of the year so far, with the mercury hitting 21.3C (70F) in Cardiff.
Northern Ireland also experienced its warmest day of the year with temperatures reaching 18C (64.4F) at Giant's Causeway, while Scotland saw the mercury rise to 18.5C (65.3F) in Lossiemouth, Moray.
But the warm weather will not last.
High temperatures in London will plummet to 12C on Good Friday, a fall of 50% in two days, while low temperatures in the north of England and Scotland will drop back below freezing by Easter Monday.
Today
Most of England and Wales will have another fine and very warm day. There will be more cloud around than yesterday, but still some good spells of sunshine. Cloudier across Scotland and Northern Ireland where rain at times for some.
Tonight
Early evening cloud over Scotland sinking southwards into England and Wales, cloud thick enough for a little rain in southern Scotland and northern England. Clear spells in the far north.
Thursday
Early cloud over parts of southern Scotland, Northern Ireland and much of England and Wales breaking leaving sunny spells. Fine and bright elsewhere. Breezy and less warm than today.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday
Mostly dry with sunny spells and some overnight frost on Friday and Saturday. Becoming unsettled and windy with rain then showers on Sunday, with showers turning wintry.
