The UK is expected to be hotter than Ibiza today as the mercury reaches 28C, making Wednesday the hottest April day in seven years – with even warmer weather on the way.
The Met Office said that good weather will continue today, with highs of 27C in London – before temperatures could rise to 30C in some places on Thursday. In Ibiza, it’s forecast to reach just 21C.
It comes after Monday and Tuesday saw the hottest days of the year so far – 24.5C and 24.9C respectively.
Average temperatures for this time of year are closer to 12C, Met Office data shows.
The all-time record for the hottest day in April stands at 29.4C, recorded back in 1949.
But it’s bad news for hay fever sufferers – with forecasters issuing a ‘very high’ pollen warning for much of southern England and Wales.
Meteorologists said the period could officially be deemed a ‘heatwave’ if the mercury reaches 25C (77F) yesterday, today and Thursday in certain parts of the UK.
Conditions are far warmer than normal for this time of year, with late April average temperatures around 12C (54F) for Scotland and 16C (61F) for southern England.
A sun worshipper catchers some rays in Southend, Essex, where temperatures are set to hit 20C
People out enjoying the weather in Southend, Essex, where temperatures are expected to hit 20C – the UK may even hit 30C tomorrow
In comparison, Greece will see 26C (77F) in Corfu, 22C (72F) in Athens and 17C (63F) in Crete; while Spain will get to 22C (72F) in Barcelona and 19C (66F) in Ibiza.
It will even be warmer than the Canary Islands, with 25C (77F) in Lanzarote and Tenerife.
The climbing temperatures mean that the UK could see the hottest day of the year so far recorded day after day this week, Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell has said.
‘We’re certainly on track to see the warmest spell of the year so far,’ he added.
If 27C (81F) is reached today, this month would be the hottest April on record since 2018.
Unseasonably mild nights are also ahead for parts of the UK, with minimum temperatures not expected to fall below 14C (57F) in the South West overnight into Wednesday.
On Monday night, several areas of northern Scotland recorded their highest April minimum temperatures on record – including Kinloss in the Highlands at 12.6C (54.7F).
Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said on Tuesday: ‘It is not particularly unusual to see warm and sunny periods in April where temperatures reach the mid-20s.
‘This has occurred as recently as 2018 and 2019, for example. However, it is more unusual to see temperatures reach the high-20s, and if we see 30C (86F) this week, it will be the earliest point in the year in which we have achieved that threshold.’
Nicola Maxey, press officer at the Met Office, said: ‘As high pressure continues to dominate the UK weather we will see the temperatures building day on day through the week with Thursday seeing the peak of the heat with 29C (84F) or even a chance we could see 30C (86F).
‘Friday temperatures will start to dip across much of the UK as the high pressure starts to pull away.’
The highest recorded April temperature was in 1949, when Camden Square in London recorded 29.4C (84.9F).
For May, the highest temperature recorded was 32.8C (91.0F) on May 22, 1922, also in Camden Square.
According to the Met Office, the definition of a heatwave is three consecutive days of temperatures exceeding the ‘heatwave threshold’, which varies across the country.
The threshold is 25C (77F) for most of the UK, with slightly higher numbers for the South and East, and rising to 28C (84F) in London.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) urged caution around open-water swimming after last month saw a 32 per cent increase in water-related incidents compared with the same period last year.
Craig Carter, LFB assistant commissioner for prevention and protection, said: ‘Even when the sun is shining, water temperatures can be dangerously cold. Cold water shock can affect anyone, no matter how fit or experienced they are.
‘It can lead to water inhalation and, in the worst cases, drowning. Be particularly careful near the water’s edge, it’s easy to slip and fall unexpectedly.
‘And think twice before jumping into open water.’
People relaxing in the warm sunshine by Regent’s canal in Granary Square on Wednesday
A sunbather enjoys the warm weather at St James’s Park in London on Tuesday
Students Emily Keegan and Vicki Heidt enjoy the warmth at St James’s Park in London on Tuesday
A paddleboarder enjoys the morning sunshine on the sea at Dover in Kent on Tuesday
People punting along the River Cam in Cambridge in the warm and sunny weather on Tuesday
Bianca Nolte admires the colourful floral display at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh on Tuesday
A paddleboarder enjoys the morning sunshine on the sea at Dover in Kent on Tuesday
The bluebell woods at Felix Gentle Path in Greys Court, Oxfordshire, on a warm day on Tuesday
People go on paddle boards in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, on Tuesday afternoon
A woman relaxes in the morning sunshine on the beach at Dover in Kent on Tuesday
People go punting along the River Cam in Cambridge on Tuesday to enjoy the warm weather
Lambs graze by a weir on the Wootton Hall estate in Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire, on Tuesday
In the first quarter of 2025, LFB crews responded to 160 water-related incidents, averaging more than 13 per week compared with fewer than 11 a week in 2024, the LFB said.
There may also be an increased risk of wildfires as the warm temperatures follow a spell of dry weather in April and March, the Met Office warned.
Gareth Morrison, Head of Water Safety for the RNLI said: ‘With the warm weather forecast this week, we want to remind everyone to stay safe when visiting the coast.
‘Whilst the air temperature will be high, water temperature remain dangerously cold. If possible, choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
‘If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live; tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing.
‘Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then call for help or swim to safety if you can. It’s OK if your legs sink, we all float differently. In any coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’
