It’s going to be hotter than Malibu! Spring sun comes out for hottest day of the year so far


Britain will be hotter than Malibu as a 600-mile wide ‘continental heat bubble’ brings the hottest day of the year by Wednesday.

Weather maps show hot air blowing north from mainland Europe followed by a soggy low pressure system hitting into the Bank Holiday weekend.

The Met Office forecast highs from 73F (23C) today, nudging 79F (26C) tomorrow and 82F (28C) on Wednesday. Even the North is set for 77F (25C).

The UK will be hotter than 68F (20C) Malibu, California, and is poised to beat the 79F (26C) hottest day of the year, set on April 10 at Treknow, Cornwall.

Brave swimmers took to the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park, central London, this morning despite temperatures barely hitting 55F (13C).

Meanwhile golfers took to the greens in Blackwood, Wales, as restrictions on playing golf were eased in the country.

The Met Office forecast highs from 73F (23C) today, nudging 79F (26C) tomorrow and 82F (28C) on Wednesday. Even the North is set for 77F (25C). Pictured: The swimmer taking a dive at Hyde Park Lido this morning

Weather maps show hot air blowing north from mainland Europe followed by a soggy low pressure system hitting into the long weekend. Pictured: Bryn Meadows Golf Club Captain Darren Brown teed off and walks to the first green at as restrictions on playing golf in Blackwood, Wales

Weather maps show hot air blowing north from mainland Europe followed by a soggy low pressure system hitting into the long weekend. Pictured: Bryn Meadows Golf Club Captain Darren Brown teed off and walks to the first green at as restrictions on playing golf in Blackwood, Wales

Most will be sunny after showers in the North ease tomorrow.

But thunderstorms will hit on Thursday, with the South and Midlands most at risk, and deluges follow into a 68F (20C) Bank Holiday weekend.

There will also be wind gusts set to push a gale-force 50mph in parts of the West and 30mph in the East. Bank Holiday Monday could be sunnier, with 70F (21C) highs.

Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: ’28C is possible, with growing confidence we’ll see the warmest day of the year.

‘Warm southerly winds will blow in, but the heat could well trigger thunderstorms on Thursday.

Britain will be hotter than Malibu as a 600-mile wide 'continental heat bubble' brings hottest days of the year by Wednesday. Pictured: A swimmer at the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park, London, this morning

Britain will be hotter than Malibu as a 600-mile wide ‘continental heat bubble’ brings hottest days of the year by Wednesday. Pictured: A swimmer at the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park, London, this morning

The UK (pictured in the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park this morning) will be hotter than 68F (20C) Malibu, California, and is poised to beat the 79F (26C) hottest day of the year, set on April 10 at Treknow, Cornwall

The UK (pictured in the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park this morning) will be hotter than 68F (20C) Malibu, California, and is poised to beat the 79F (26C) hottest day of the year, set on April 10 at Treknow, Cornwall

The brave swimmers out for an early dip in the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park this morning have a chat across the cool water

The brave swimmers out for an early dip in the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park this morning have a chat across the cool water

Bryn Meadows Golf Club Captain Darren Brown warms up before he tees off in Blackwood at as restrictions on playing golf in Wales have been eased but still differ to golf in England

Bryn Meadows Golf Club Captain Darren Brown warms up before he tees off in Blackwood at as restrictions on playing golf in Wales have been eased but still differ to golf in England

One of the swimmers prepares to take to the water on he adds a swimming cap on the grassy shore. The Serpentine Lido has reopened to the public

One of the swimmers prepares to take to the water on he adds a swimming cap on the grassy shore. The Serpentine Lido has reopened to the public

A swimmer passes a swan and ducks as she takes an early morning swim at the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park, central London

A swimmer passes a swan and ducks as she takes an early morning swim at the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park, central London

Bryn Meadows Golf Club Captain Darren Brown prepares to putt at the first green as restrictions on playing golf in Wales have been eased but still differ to golf in England

Bryn Meadows Golf Club Captain Darren Brown prepares to putt at the first green as restrictions on playing golf in Wales have been eased but still differ to golf in England

‘The week could end with rain, possibly torrential in places, but unsettled conditions may only be temporary in the South as high pressure builds again.’

Another Met Office forecaster said: ‘The unsettled period carries the risk of strong winds, mainly for western areas.’

The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze told Blowing Hot and Cold videochat: ‘Up to 28C is expected by midweek – but people taking trips out as we move into the Bank Holiday weekend might get a soaking.’

Ex-BBC and Met Office forecaster John Hammond of weathertrending said: ‘After Arctic cold air, there’s a big warm up.

‘The UK will bask in warm continental winds and a strengthening bubble of high pressure, with strong sunshine. But a thundery breakdown is expected by the weekend.’

The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze told Blowing Hot and Cold videochat: 'Up to 28C is expected by midweek – but people taking trips out as we move into the Bank Holiday weekend might get a soaking.' Pictured: A swimmer showering near the Serpentine in central London this morning

The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze told Blowing Hot and Cold videochat: ‘Up to 28C is expected by midweek – but people taking trips out as we move into the Bank Holiday weekend might get a soaking.’ Pictured: A swimmer showering near the Serpentine in central London this morning

Ex-BBC and Met Office forecaster John Hammond of weathertrending said: 'After Arctic cold air, there's a big warm up.' Pictured: A swimmer preparing to take the plunge at the Serpentine in central London this morning

Ex-BBC and Met Office forecaster John Hammond of weathertrending said: ‘After Arctic cold air, there’s a big warm up.’ Pictured: A swimmer preparing to take the plunge at the Serpentine in central London this morning