Friday is officially the hottest day of the year so far

The UK noticed its warmest day of the yr thus far on Friday as temperatures went above 23C (73F) within the south of England.

Otterbourne in Hampshire recorded the very best temperature of 23.7C and was hotter than Ibiza, Rhodes and Cyprus.

Usk in south Wales reached 22.4C, however Scotland and Northern Eire have been cooler with temperatures of 18.3C in West Freugh and 17.2C in Armagh.

Temperatures are anticipated to fall this weekend as cooler air strikes down from the north. England’s south coast can be warmest on Saturday with an anticipated excessive of 21C, whereas Sunday will peak nearer 17C.

Earlier than Friday, the very best temperature recorded thus far this yr was 21.3C in Northolt, west London, and Chertsey, Surrey, on 20 March.

Final month was the sunniest March in England since data started in 1910, in line with the Met Workplace. It was additionally very dry, with the UK’s rainfall whole simply 43% of the standard quantity.

Whereas, the very best April temperature ever recorded within the UK was 29.4C on 16 April 1949.

Friday was heat throughout many of the nation, with temperatures reaching 23.4C in Wiggonholt, West Sussex – however some chillier climate was seen in components of Scotland and northern England.

Wild temperature swings aren’t uncommon presently of yr.

Elements of southern England already hit highs of 20.7C on Thursday and 20.1C within the Scottish Highlands.

Scotland had its warmest day of the yr on Thursday however temperatures each there and in Northern Eire have been a little bit decrease on Friday.

Temperatures are forecast to fall on the weekend as cooler air strikes down from the north.

The south coast of England can be warmest on Saturday, reaching 21C, whereas the very best temperature within the UK on Sunday can be nearer 17C – nonetheless properly above the seasonal norm.

Northern Eire can be cooler this weekend however is about to show hotter once more subsequent week with temperatures of as much as 18C anticipated.

Heading into subsequent week, the chance of in a single day frost will return for the start of the week however it’s anticipated to heat up once more, with temperatures forecast to be again as much as 21C in Scotland.

All through this time it’s nonetheless trying dry, and people situations are perfect for wildfires beginning and spreading.

Scottish Hearth and Rescue Service (SFRS) mentioned on Wednesday that there was a “very high to extreme risk” of fires spreading whereas Cumbria Hearth and Rescue service urged the public to act responsibly to cut the risk of wildfires.

The fireplace service has tackled blazes this week close to Bonhill in West Dunbartonshire and within the Kilpatrick Hills close to Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire.

Elsewhere, greater than 126 acres (51 hectares) have been left charred after a fireplace at Upton Heath in Poole shortly earlier than midnight on Wednesday, and a second fireplace broke out at close by Canford Heath on Thursday morning.

Dorset & Wiltshire Hearth and Rescue Service mentioned the fires were both “down to human intervention”.

In England there have been 185.8 hours of sunshine in March, in line with the Met Workplace, the nation recorded its sixth driest March and Wales its fourth driest since data started in 1836.