Parts of the UK will bask in 24C heat over the coming days as the hottest April in six years continues.
Despite warm weather and sunshine expected for Thursday and Friday, many of the UK's open spaces will be largely empty due to the coronavirus lockdown.
Brits are being urged to remain in doors regardless, as health chiefs attempt to get a hold on the killer bug.
People are advised only to leave home for essential trips for food or medication, as well as an hour for exercise - and not gather on beaches, parks or other open spaces.
London is forecast to see the hottest temperatures on Thursday, with the mercury rising to 24C - hotter than Lanzarote and Corfu.
Elsewhere, temperatures are forecast to reach 23C in Wales and south-west England, 18C in Scotland and 19C in Northern Ireland.
This would be well above the average high of 14C in April for England and the hottest the UK has been this month since 2014, the Met Office said.
Forecasters said the good weather is due to a large area of high pressure to the north of England making the days clear and bright.
Friday will see temperatures drop slightly to 23C in the capital, 22C in Wales and south-west England and 18C in Scotland.
Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst said there was also a "low chance" of isolated showers in the west of the UK, but said most areas will remain dry.
Temperatures will hit 22C on Wednesday for many parts of the UK, while the east coast and Scotland will see the mercury fall to 12 to 14C.
Bookmaker Ladbrokes has cut odds to 4/5 on this week beating the hottest day of the year so far when 26C was recorded in Treknow, Cornwall, on April 10.
The Met Office's Simon Partridge told the Mirror Online earlier this week the lowest averages for the month are currently sitting at 2.4C above the 11.5C average for April.
The hottest ever April day was April 16, 1949 which saw parts of Britain reach 29.4C.
As of this week the UK has already seen 81 per cent of its average amount of sunshine for the month and only 17 per cent of rainfall.
"It's certainly on track to be above average," Mr Partridge said. "It's been very dry."
Thursday's heat is likely the hottest we'll get before the end of the month though, as the general outlook is "not quite as warm" for the final week, he added.
UK 5 day weather forecast
Today:
Another fine, dry and bright day with plenty of sunshine across the UK. A little less breezy than the last couple of days too and feeling warm in the sunshine away from North Sea coastal areas.
Tonight:
Dry with mostly clear skies. Some patchy cloud near some northern and central hills and the odd mist or fog patch possible around dawn. Chilly with a touch of frost.
Thursday:
Fine, dry and bright with plenty of sunshine again. Light winds and feeling warm in the sunshine.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Mostly dry, warm with sunny spells. Cloudier and cooler at times in the northeast, especially in North Sea coastal areas. A few showers possible in the southwest over the weekend.
