Britain is set for its hottest day of the year so far with forecasters expecting highs of 28C, making the UK warmer than Marbella.
London could be the hottest spot today (Wednesday) – but large swathes of the country will enjoy temperatures in the low to mid-20s.
Bonnie Diamond of the Met Office told the Mirror: “Temperatures are rising all week, peaking on Wednesday.
“The warmest area is likely to stretch from the Vale of York, down to the East Midlands and towards North London.
“Those temperatures are likely to be well into the mid 20s for most and London could see 28C on Wednesday.”
But thunderstorms and hail will soon end the mini heatwave.
Ms Diamond said things will “start to change” on Thursday with storms bringing up to 40mm rain in three hours triggered by the remnants of ex-tropical storm Arthur off the US coast.
The unsettled weather is “pretty unusual for so late in spring”, she said.
The year’s hottest day so far was April 10 at 26C in Treknow, Cornwall. The highest recorded May temperature was 32.8C, on May 29, 1944.
Wall to wall sunshine is expected in Bristol today, with highs of around 24C. Our city will avoid the worst of Thursday's storms but rain is predicted on Friday.
UK weather forecast
Wednesday:
Fine and dry with plenty of warm sunshine once early patchy cloud clears. Most areas hotter than on Tuesday.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Turning cooler and more unsettled. Heavy showers and thunderstorms possible Thursday, followed thereafter, especially across the north, by further showers or rain with strong winds and a risk of gales.
