The UK is set to have its hottest day of the year this week as temperatures soar to 22C.

The balmy weather is being caused by an area of low pressure over the Atlantic, the Met Office said, which is bringing up a mild south-westerly air flow over the UK.

This tropical maritime air mass is pushing up temperatures across the country, with London and the south expected to enjoy highs of 22C. While the south will feel warmer, the whole of the UK will be basking in above-average temperatures, with York expected to see temperatures of 17C and Newcastle of 16C.

The average UK temperature for March is 9.8C.

Emma Sharples, a meteorologist at the Met Office, warned that some areas of the UK will see rain tomorrow, in south west Scotland, north west England and likely at the very tip of Cornwall.

Cold fronts are also moving from west to east, she said, with showers expected from Friday into Saturday as temperatures cool.

Spring has sprung - Britain welcomes warmer weather

“Saturday is the first day of April and it will be a classic case of April showers, turning thundery in places,” she said.