Temperatures forecast to be warmer than Ibiza this weekend

Saturday was the warmest day of the year so far across the UK, with temperatures topping 19.1C in Bridgefoot, England.

This weekend will see “fine and sunny” skies for much of the UK, with some spots expected to be warmer than popular European holiday destinations.

And the warm conditions will continue into Sunday, where temperatures in parts of central England could reach up to 20C.

But the Met Office warned that temperatures will drop next week, with cloud and rain expected to come in from the north.

Saturday was also the warmest day of the year for each nation. Scotland recorded a high of 18.3C in Threave, while Northern Ireland hit 17C in Castlederg.

Wales saw its joint warmest day of the year, matching Thursday’s recording of 18.2, with Saturday’s temperature in Porthmadog.

“It’ll be more of the same and for the majority of the country it will be a similar day to Saturday,” Mr Snell said, explaining that it will be “a warm weekend, particularly for the time of year”.

Holiday hotspots such as Marbella in Spain or Italy’s Amalfi Coast – which are known for their sunny climates – could record lower temperatures than in the warmest parts of the UK.

Marbella on Spain’s south coast, has a forecasted high of 15C this weekend, Ibiza is forecasted 17C, and Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast, could reach a high of 18C.

Thursday was previously the warmest day of the year so far in England, Wales and Scotland with 19C recorded in Santon Downham in Suffolk and 18.2C in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion. The Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh reached 16.8C which is the highest on record for it this early in the year.

But temperatures in the UK are expected to drop next week, in what Mr Snell described as “a bit of a shock to the system”.

“We’re expecting to see some cloud and rain coming in from the north and it will generally be much cooler.”

In the meantime, make the most of the warmth this weekend and check the forecast for your local area on the BBC Weather website and app.