This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Parts of the UK will be hotter than some of Europe’s top holiday destinations over the Easter weekend, with temperatures exceeding 20C (68F).

As sunseekers plan to go away over the coming weeks, the UK could be hotter than St Tropez in southern France, the Greek island of Corfu, Bodrum in southern Turkey and the Spanish island of Mallorca, which is forecast to be cloudy on Saturday and Sunday.

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Temperatures will rise throughout the week to give a dry, settled and warm bank holiday weekend throughout much of the country, according to the Met Office.

In London and sheltered areas across the south-east, temperatures could rise to 22-23C (73.4F), the hottest in the country.

Cardiff may hit 21C (69.8F) on Saturday, as could parts of Northern Ireland, while Glasgow and Aberdeen will be about 20C (68F). The UK average for this time of year is 11.5C (52.7F).

Simon Partridge, a Met Office forecaster, said Good Friday would be pleasant before the mercury rises to exceed 20C (68F) in some areas on Saturday and Sunday. But clouds could usher in cooler temperatures in the north-west and parts of the east coast on Easter Day, the cooler of the two days.

Partridge said: “After there was a chilly spell this weekend, we are going to see temperatures gradually increase through the week.”