UK weather forecast sees 20C ‘hottest day of year’ as spring temperatures soar

The Met Office’s latest maps show the mercury forecast to rise this week

Britain could be hotter than popular getaway destinations including Ibiza next week as the mercury soars.

The Met Office’s most recent forecast charts indicate temperatures could climb to 19C in London at approximately 3pm on Wednesday. The thermometer could reach 18C across much of southern and central England, whilst Wales and northern regions may experience 16C to 17C.

Northern Ireland and Scotland are anticipated to be slightly cooler. This year’s warmest day so far was March 5, when the mercury peaked at 19.2C in London.

Certain weather models indicate temperatures will exceed that figure on Wednesday. The UKV model indicates potential highs of 20C in south-east England at roughly 3pm, with 19C and 18C likely across eastern regions, the Midlands and the broader south, reports the Mirror.

Meanwhile, the GFS weather model suggests the mercury will climb considerably above the seasonal norm on Wednesday. Temperature anomaly charts for approximately 6pm display patches of deep red throughout England and Wales, highlighting where conditions will be significantly warmer than typical for this period.

By contrast, the Met Office anticipates temperatures in Ibiza to reach 16C on Wednesday. In Zante, holidaymakers can expect highs of merely 15C.

After Wednesday, the Met Office indicates we’ll experience “frequent spells of pleasant spring sunshine”. Though there’s also a possibility of some colder intervals.

The Met Office outlook for March 19 to 28 reads: “It will quickly turn more settled everywhere, with most places predominantly dry. Temperatures will fluctuate between being milder than average to colder than average, so it is possible we could see some overnight frost and fog, but overall by day there should be frequent spells of pleasant spring sunshine making it feel fine away from coasts exposed to a brisk easterly wind. How long the settled conditions last is less certain with some signals that showers/rain could return later in the period.”

BBC Weather reports: “More rain will arrive from the Atlantic on Monday, but high pressure building over the near continent could keep much or all of it away from southern areas, especially the Southeast. High pressure will then become the dominant feature through the rest of the week.

“On Tuesday, there may be further rain and strong winds in some northern and western areas, whilst much of the country experiences a breezy but drier and warmer day with some sunshine.

“From Wednesday onwards, high pressure near or over the UK should ensure plenty of dry weather. Some fairly cold and foggy nights will be possible, but by day there should be some warm sunshine for most places. However, easterly breezes could develop, making some eastern coastal regions feel chillier at times.”

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