UK to see hottest day of the year this week

Britain is finally basking in a spell of hot, balmy weather, with forecasters predicting today (Tuesday) could be the hottest day of the year so far - and Friday being even warmer.

The Met Office and The Weather Channel suggest temperatures will hit 25C on Friday.

Met Office spokesman Dan Williams told Aol Travel: "It could be the hottest day of the year today, with a chance we could get close to or beat the 23.8C set at Drumburgh, Cumbria on 7 May. Hottest places are likely to be in the South East area.

"After today, temperatures remain on the warm side, with 22C likely on Wednesday and Thursday, and perhaps 24C or 25C possible on Friday.

"The weekend stays in the low 20s, with 23C likely on Saturday and 22C on Sunday. Again, warmest temperatures are likely to be in the south east of the country, but most places will not be too far behind.

"Most places will see fine and settled weather, with a good deal of sunshine at times and generally light winds.

"The warm spell looks set to last through the weekend and perhaps into the start of next week, but there are some early signs that we might see some more unsettled conditions moving in during next week."

Leon Brown, meteorologist at The Weather Channel, agreed, telling Aol Travel: "High pressure will dominate our weather for at least the next week. This means settled and dry weather for much of the UK. However, with the North Sea still several degrees below normal after the cold spring, and winds often from the east, temperatures will be tempered somewhat. There will also be the risk of low cloud and mist at times in the east.

"On Wednesday, the best of the sunshine will be along the south coast, south west England, west Wales and also western Scotland. with temperatures reaching 19C to 20C. Only 12C to 14C where it stays cloudy in the east.

"Similar on Thursday with plenty of sunshine in the west but more cloudy at first in the east, becoming mostly sunny later. Warmest areas in the south and south west reaching 22C.

"Friday could be the warmest day in the south with sunny skies for much of the UK, but still the risk of low cloud over East Anglia. A fresh easterly breeze along the Channel and near eastern coasts, but inland from West Sussex to Devon and Cornwall temperatures will reach 22 to 23C, and locally 24C in Dorset/Hampshire. A 30% chance of 25C.

"This would be the warmest day of the year so far. West Wales, north west England and western Scotland also warm reaching 20C to 23C.

"The weekend also looks fine, dry and mostly sunny for central and western Britain with temperatures reaching 21C to 23C, but cooler in the east and the risk of low cloud and mist near eastern coasts moving in off the North Sea."

But, sadly, the hot temperatures may only be short-lived. Leon added: "We expect the settled weather to last until early next week then a change developing from the west. The middle of June is likely to become more unsettled again, especially in the north and west, with showers and cooler temperatures."

Make the most of the balmy weather at Britain's most beautiful beaches:

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