UK set for hottest day of year this week as widespread sunshine predicted

The UK is set to face its hottest day of the year so far this week, according to the Met Office.

Wales and southwest England could face temperatures of 26C or even 27C on Thursday 8 June, and the weather agency is predicting sunshine across the UK.

However, there could be showers and breezes in the South at the end of the week, and the South West may face windier conditions.

Check the five-day forecast for where you live

The east of England and its coast could see some cloudy weather, but generally, there will be warm sunshine for many this week.

On Sunday much of the UK basked in the sun with the highest temperature recorded as 25C in Porthmadog, Wales.

Other places saw temperatures of over 24C, including Castlederg in Northern Ireland, Bournemouth in the south of England, and Glasgow.

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Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: "There will be lots of dry weather, with the sunnier skies always in the west and cloudier skies always in the east.

"Going forward, temperatures are going to be similar if not a little bit higher towards the end of the week.

"This west-east split will be continuing with temperatures as well, so in western parts of the UK, temperatures will rise to around the mid-20s while the eastern side of the UK is more likely to see mid to high teens.

"Particularly on the coast, it will remain quite chilly in the aast and quite cloudy at times."