UK weather forecast: Britain to bask in hottest day of the year today
Britain is set to experience the hottest day of the year so far as temperatures continue to climb.
As the weather continued to improve, many flocked to parks and beaches yesterday as the mercury rose to 2014's top temperature of 24.5C (76.1F) in St James' Park in central London, compared to high teens in Mediterranean holiday islands. Words and pictures: PA.
But today could see temperatures rise even higher to 25C (77F), maybe even reaching 26C (78.8F).
Alex Burkill, a forecaster at the Met Office, said: "There's a good chance we could reach 25C.
"There's an outside chance we could get a little above 25C, perhaps reaching 26C."
Mr Burkill said places most likely to see the hottest temperatures would be the London area, up to the Midlands, and up towards the north west.
Temperatures yesterday were in the mid-20s in much of England and Wales while parts of western Scotland and Northern Ireland were not so lucky and were hit by wet and cloudy conditions.
Sheffield, Cambridge and Gravesend in Kent all enjoyed highs of 24.3C (75.74F) while Northolt in north west London reached 24.1C (75.38F).
It means that this May could still be on track to become the hottest ever, with bookmakers Ladbrokes slashing odds to 5/1 that the record set 60 years ago when temperatures got to 32.8C (91.04F) will be beaten.
Forecasters said that while much of England and Wales would enjoy another warm day today, the South West will see showers.
The rain is expected to spread north east through the country, with conditions becoming more unsettled as the week goes on.
Met Office forecaster Helen Roberts said yesterday: ''We expect to see highs of around 24C (75.2F) again tomorrow in the South East but temperatures will start to fall elsewhere.
''By Wednesday temperatures will likely be in the high teens rather than the low 20s and then go back to averages for this time of year of around 16C (60.8F).''
Northern Ireland could witness heavy showers this evening and into the night.
Meanwhile, Scotland is expected to see an improvement, with temperatures rising to 20C (68F) in Glasgow compared to 15C (59F) yesterday.
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