A brief spell of very warm weather is set to peak across parts of the UK tomorrow, with temperatures potentially reaching 26°C, before a sharp return to cooler and more unsettled conditions later this week.
Forecasters say fine and sunny weather will dominate for many over the next couple of days, as warm air continues to move northwards across the country. Much of England and Wales is expected to see highs in the low to mid-20s today, with sheltered areas likely to feel the warmest.
In parts of northwest Wales, temperatures could reach 24°C or even 25°C, making it one of the warmest spells of the year so far.
Conditions are expected to peak on Wednesday, when lighter winds will make it feel even warmer, particularly across central and southeast England, where temperatures could climb to 26°C. These figures are well above the seasonal average for early April, which typically sits in the mid-teens.
However, not all areas will enjoy the sunshine. Northern Ireland and northwest Scotland are forecast to remain cloudier and cooler, with spells of rain at times.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Paul Gundersen said:
“We’re seeing a brief but notable spell of very warm weather for early April, with temperatures more typically associated with late spring or early summer. This could be the warmest spell at this point in April since 2020.
“However, this warmth will be short-lived, with a marked drop in temperatures and more unsettled conditions developing later this week. In some areas, daytime temperatures could fall by around 10°C between Wednesday and Thursday.”
The change in conditions is expected to be noticeable, with cooler air moving in and bringing more typical April weather towards the end of the week.
Despite the spike in temperatures, the warm spell will not officially qualify as a heatwave. In the UK, a heatwave is only declared when temperatures meet or exceed specific thresholds for at least three consecutive days, meaning short bursts of warm weather do not meet the criteria.
