UK weather: Britain set to be warmer than Barcelona as temperature hits 28C in hottest day of the year

The Met Office says temperatures will rise to 28C in the south east of England

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Parts of Britain are set to be warmer than Barcelona on Wednesday in what could be the hottest day of the year so far, forecasters say.

Treknow, Cornwall, saw the hottest day of 2020 on Good Friday when the mercury hit 24.2C, but the Met Office says that record is likely to fall on Wednesday.

The mercury looks set to rise to 28C in the south east of England, making it hotter than Barcelona where temperatures will hit 24C.

Across much of the rest of the UK, temperatures will exceed 20C in a week that has already tested the nation’s resolve in maintaining lockdown restrictions.

Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: “A warm start to the day on Wednesday. A wet start for the far north of Scotland initially, but by lunchtime that rain will be out of the way.

“For most it’s dry and it’s increasingly sunny during Wednesday afternoon, with temperatures reaching mid-20s widely, and up to 28C in the south sast.

“It stays warm and bright into the evening, but you can see some thicker cloud approaching Northern Ireland, and outbreaks of rain.”

The period of warm weather won’t last, however, with thunderstorms expected on Thursday as a cold front moves in from the west, bringing rainfall and colder temperatures.

Storms are set to lash southern England and Wales, with frequent lightning, hail and torrential downpours which forecasters say will move into the south east later in the evening.

Looking ahead, Friday will be bright with showers, most of which will affect north-western regions, according to MeteoGroup UK.

The heaviest showers will be in north west Scotland, some of which will be heavy. Saturday will be bright and breezy. There will be showers too, especially in north-western areas.