Britain is set for a burst of summer-like heat this week, with temperatures expected to rise higher than popular Mediterranean destinations. The Met Office has confirmed that the mercury could climb to an impressive 29°C (84.2°F), marking the hottest weather of the year so far.
Unusually warm conditions will spread across much of the country. And especially in the South and Southeast, where areas may see highs of 27°C or more. Cities like Manchester and Cardiff are also set to enjoy warm spells, reaching around 24°C.
In contrast, countries typically known for their sunshine — like Greece, Spain, and Turkey — will remain cooler. Athens is forecast to hit only 21°C, Barcelona will see just 20°C midweek. And Tenerife is expected to hover around 19–22°C. Turkey will be the chilliest of all, with some regions struggling to hit 13°C on Wednesday.
Meteorologist Craig Snell from the Met Office said that while days will be hot. And nights should stay comfortable, with cooler temperatures dropping into the low teens. “We’re likely heading into the warmest stretch of 2025 so far,” he noted.
The warm spell comes after April 24th set the current yearly record at 24°C — a mark that could be easily beaten this week. The peak is expected around Thursday, with plenty of sunshine forecast across England and Wales. Only the northern tip of Scotland may see some occasional rain early in the week.
Temperatures are set to soar well above average for this time of year. Normally, late April sees highs of 12°C in northern regions. And 16°C in the south, meaning some spots could be more than 10 degrees above normal.
Despite the heat, the spell likely won’t qualify as an official “heatwave” by Met Office standards. Its require three consecutive days of high temperatures above regional thresholds — typically 25°C, and up to 28°C in London.
Looking ahead, cooler air will return by Friday, with southern areas dropping back to the high teens. And the north seeing mid-teen temperatures. Still, for a few days, Britain will be basking in sunshine that rivals — or beats — some of Europe’s favorite beach destinations.
