UK weather map reveals where the mercury is expected to hit 26C TODAY – and it’s set to be the hottest day of the year
Britain experienced the hottest April 7 on record yesterday and the mercury will rise even higher on Wednesday.
Temperatures today are predicted to reach up to 26 degrees, meaning Tuesday will be the hottest day yet.
Yesterday’s highest temperature was seen on the island of Anglesey in Wales and 24.8 degrees was recorded in Mona.
But today, the hottest spots will be felt across central and south-east England, the latest weather map reveals.
The Met Office said: ‘The hottest temperatures in England were seen in north-west Wales today.
‘We had the hottest April 7 in history here and the highest temperature of 2026 so far.
‘We are very likely to see warmer temperatures throughout the remainder of spring and as we move into summer.’
Forecasters have also warned of a ‘pollen bomb’ as tree pollen levels rise rapidly across much of the country.
Wednesday will be even hotter, especially in central and south-east England, where temperatures could reach 26 degrees
Sunbathers on Brighton beach are enjoying the warm weather as temperatures reached 22 degrees on Tuesday
Warm weather was good news for this ice cream van at the foot of Tower Bridge
Sunseekers took the opportunity to enjoy the sun at St James’s Park in London
For some, the heat was particularly well-timed as it coincided with the school Easter holidays, and families flocked to the beach to enjoy the sun.
Bella Sankey, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: ‘There really is no place quite like Brighton when the sun is shining and today we are certainly seeing people keen to take advantage of the sunshine – not just on the beach but also visiting our stunning seaside cafes and bars or taking a prom walk.
‘Our new seaside park in Hove has also been incredibly busy; Families were making the most of their school holidays at our skate park.
‘We’re officially the sunniest city in England and we know how to have fun when the sun’s out.’
A Weymouth Borough Council spokesman said: ‘It’s great 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 holiday destination has to offer.
‘Summer on!’
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.
People picnic at Potters Fields Park during lunch and enjoy the warm sun
Pedals were a popular choice on the Serpentine lake in Hyde Park on Tuesday
‘With seaside facilities fully open, visitors can look forward to land trains, cafes and attractions along the promenade, offering plenty of entertainment for families, day trippers and holidaymakers.
‘We would urge anyone considering swimming to follow the RNLI’s water safety advice and remind beachgoers that disposable barbecues are only permitted on the beach between 6pm and 10.30pm.’
Webcams also showed crowds sunbathing at Lyme Regis beach in Dorset.
Met Office chief forecaster Paul Gundersen said: ‘We are seeing a brief but notable spell of very warm weather at the beginning of April; temperatures are more associated with late spring or early summer.
‘This could be the warmest period in April since 2020, which many will remember due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
‘However this warmth will be short-lived, with a significant drop in temperatures and more unstable conditions developing later this week.
‘Daytime temperatures in some areas could drop by around 10C between Wednesday and Thursday.’
The forecast service warned of a ‘major change’ on Thursday when temperatures were expected to drop to between 10C and 13C.
‘At this time of year it all depends entirely on the wind direction,’ a spokesman said.
‘Over the next few days we’ll be driving that warm, southerly wind that will allow us to see temperatures reach the mid-20s.
‘As we head into Thursday we will see temperatures return to normal for this time of year as we see the weather become more variable with increased rainfall and showers.’
It is estimated that temperatures over the weekend will be around 10 degrees in the north and 14 degrees in the south.
The warmer weather follows Storm Dave, which caused widespread damage and disruption as 70mph winds ripped through northern England, Scotland and Wales over the Easter weekend.
