Met Office says warm spell should last most of the week as temperatures in much of UK hit 27C on Sunday

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Most of Britain is basking in the hottest day of the year so far as temperatures hit 26C (79F) or 27C – warmer than Ibiza and Istanbul.

The Met Office described the warm spell as exceptional but warned of high UV and pollution levels and predicted thunderstorms and Sahara sand dust storms to come.



Facebook Twitter Pinterest Crowds flock to the Christchurch Food Festival in Dorset Photograph: Geoffrey Swaine/REX/Shutterstock

Hot weather in the UK Read more

Facebook Twitter Pinterest People out sunbathing in deckchairs in Green Park in London Photograph: Paul Brown/REX/Shutterstock

Hot air drawn from Europe pushed temperatures to numbers more usual in August – 10C higher than May’s monthly average – in England, north Wales and much of Scotland.



The Met Office is predicting that the fine, sunny and mostly dry weather will last for most of the next five days. South-east England has the highest possibility of showers, while there could be thunderstorms in north-west England. Temperatures are expected to fall across the country by the end of the week.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest A shopper looking at plants in a garden centre in North London on hottest day of this year, so far Photograph: Dinendra Haria/REX/Shutterstock

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Blue sky as temperatures rise over the Angel of the North in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

Bookmakers are already taking bets on a scorching summer. Ladbrokes was offering 2/1 on the temperature reaching 30C or more before the end of the weekend.

Spokeswoman Jessica Bridge said: “It’s getting hotter by the day and punters are convinced the sunshine’s here to stay all summer.”