UK weather map reveals where the mercury is expected to hit 26C TODAY - and it's set to be the hottest day of the year

UK weather map reveals where the mercury is expected to hit 26C TODAY - and it's set to be the hottest day of the year
By: dailymail Posted On: April 08, 2026 View: 49

Britain basked in the hottest April 7 on record yesterday - and the mercury is set to leap even higher today.

Temperatures are predicted to climb as high as 26C, which would mean eclipsing yesterday as the warmest day of the year so far.

The Welsh island of Anglesey saw the highest temperature yesterday, with 24.8C recorded in Mona.

But today the hottest spots are set to be in central and south-eastern England, as the latest weather map reveals. 

The Met Office said: 'The highest temperatures in the UK have been in north-west Wales today.

'Here we've had the warmest April 7 on record and the highest temperature of 2026 so far.

'We're very likely to see higher temperatures as we move through the rest of spring and towards summer.'

Forecasters have also warned of a 'pollen bomb', as levels soar across much of the country.

Yesterday was the hottest April 7 on record but today is set to feel even warmer, particularly in parts of central and south-eastern England where temperatures could reach 26C
Sunbathers enjoy the hot weather yesterday on Brighton beach, where temperatures reached 22C
The warm weather was good news for this ice cream van at the foot of Tower Bridge
Londoners also flocked to St James's Park, with sunseekers taking the opportunity to soak up some rays

The warm weather comes at the perfect time for families as it coincides with the school Easter holidays, with many flocking to the beach to enjoy the sun yesterday. 

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey said: 'There really is no place like Brighton when the sun is shining and we're definitely seeing people keen to take advantage of the sunshine today - not just on the beach itself, but also visiting our brilliant seafront cafes and bars, or enjoying a walk along the prom.

'Our new seafront park in Hove has been incredibly busy as well, with families making the most of the school holidays at our skatepark.

'We're officially the sunniest city in England and we know how to have fun when the sun it out.'

A spokesman for Weymouth Town Council said: 'It's been wonderful to see so many people choosing to enjoy the sun on Weymouth beach and we're looking forward to welcoming more visitors to our town, so they can enjoy all the fun our resort has to offer.

'Roll on summer!'

A spokesman for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council said: 'It's great to see people enjoying BCP's beautiful beaches in the warm weather, and we want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable visit.

Londoners relax on the grass and enjoy the views of the city at Potters Fields Park yesterday
Many sunseekers rented pedalos and enjoyed the water at the Serpentine lake in Hyde Park yesterday

'With seafront facilities fully open, visitors can look forward to land trains, cafes and attractions across the promenade, offering plenty to enjoy for families, day trippers and holidaymakers.

'We urge anyone considering a swim to follow the RNLI's water safety advice, and remind beachgoers that disposable BBQs are only permitted on the beach between 6pm and 10.30pm.'

Webcams also showed crowds sunbathing at Lyme Regis beach in Dorset.

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, a year many will remember because of the Covid-19 lockdown.

'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 10C between Wednesday and Thursday.'

The forecaster warned of a 'big change' on Thursday when temperatures are expected to drop to between 10C and 13C.

A spokesman said: 'It's all purely down to wind direction at this time of year.

'For the next couple of days we're dragging in that warm, southerly wind, which will allow us to see temperatures reach the mid-20s.

'As we go into Thursday, we'll see temperatures return to normal for the time of year as we see the weather turn more changeable with advances of rain and showers.'

Temperatures are forecast to hover around 10C in the North and 14C in the South over the weekend.

The warmer spell comes in the wake of Storm Dave, which caused widespread damage and disruption over the Easter weekend as 70mph winds battered parts of northern England, Scotland and Wales. 

Read this on dailymail
  Contact Us
  Follow Us
Site Map
Get Site Map
  About

Read the latest local and international news from trusted sources in one place.