Parts of the UK could see temperatures as high as 26°C tomorrow (Wednesday), before conditions turn markedly cooler later in the week.
Fine and sunny weather will dominate for many over the next couple of days as warm air is drawn northwards across the UK. Highs in the low to mid-20s are expected widely across England and Wales today, with the warmest conditions often found in sheltered areas, including parts of northwest Wales, where 24°C or even 25°C is possible.
Lighter winds on Wednesday will make things feel even warmer, particularly across central and southeast England, where temperatures could peak at 26°C. These values are well above the early April average, which is typically in the mid-teens.
However, not all parts of the UK will see sunshine. It will be cloudier and cooler across Northern Ireland and northwest Scotland, with outbreaks 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, 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 10°C between Wednesday and Thursday.”
But will it be a ‘heatwave?’
As temperatures rise, some headlines start to talk about ‘heatwaves’ or ‘mini-heatwaves’. But, it only counts as an official heatwave if temperatures meet or exceed specific thresholds set for each UK county, for at least three consecutive days, so not every brief spell of hot weather qualifies.
