Meteorologists have recorded the hottest day in April since 1949, with temperatures reaching 29.1C (84.4F) in the capital.

The Met Office recorded the highest temperature at St James's Park in London on Thursday afternoon.

Image: Temperatures are soaring across the country

Image: London is seeing hotter temperatures than Athens

The UK is currently basking in temperatures hotter than Athens, where it is 25C (77F), Madrid, at 22.2C (77F), Rome, at 25C (77F), and Rio de Janeiro, where it is 26C (79F).

The scorching heat is a stark contrast to the average maximum temperature for April - a mere 11.4C (52.5F).

The hottest April day recorded in the UK was in London's Camden Square in 1949, which saw temperatures of 29.4C (84.9F).


The Met Office said warm air off the coast of Portugal had been dragged up towards the UK by an area of low pressure over the Atlantic and high pressure over western Europe.

Image: The hottest April day in 70 years was recorded on Thursday

Image: People enjoying the weather in Stratford Upon Avon

Spokesman Oli Claydon added: "After quite a dull and chilly start to spring this is the first bout of real warm sunshine that we've seen.

"The sun at this time of year is nearly equally as strong as it can be in the summer so people just need to be cautious of that and make sure that they do look after themselves."

People planning to run Sunday's London Marathon in fancy dress have been urged to reconsider as the hot weather continues into the weekend.

However, temperatures are set to fall across the UK from the beginning of next week, with some showery outbreaks predicted.

The Met Office's forecast for Sunday into Monday is: "Thundery showers in the north and west becoming more widespread. Unsettled, cooler and breezy on Monday."