UK weather: Temperatures forecast to cool across parts of country after hottest day of the year so far

Sunday was officially the hottest day of 2023 so far - but temperatures are predicted to cool this week for some.

Plymouth hit 24.4C (75.9F) yesterday, beating Saturday's high of 24.3C (75.7F) in Bramham, West Yorkshire, by just a tenth of a degree.

Previously the hottest temperature of the year was 23.4C (74.1F) - recorded in Cardiff last Monday.

High pressure meant dry and warm conditions across the UK last week, but forecasters expect a cooler feel from Monday night.

Find out the 5-day forecast where you are here

"Generally, there will be a lot of dry weather around and a good amount of sunshine still," Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said. "Hazy cloud pushing through at times might make the sunshine hazy in places.

"Temperatures then going to be feeling cooler along eastern coastal areas."

Colder conditions in the far north and the east will be brought on by a "cool breeze off the North Sea", the Met Office added.

Southern and eastern parts will also be cloudy.

This spring has been cooler than usual in general so far, with temperatures not yet reaching 25C (77F) anywhere in the country.

If the UK doesn't meet that threshold in the coming days, it will be the first time in 10 years without a day of 25C or hotter by 1 June.

Read more:
Athlete dies while swimming in Swansea Triathlon
What is El Nino and how does it impact the weather?

Warmer weather in the west

For the rest of this week, half-term for much of England and Wales, the best weather will be confined to western areas.

The Met Office says the high pressure that sent the mercury soaring last week will "stay in charge" in those parts.

Temperatures are likely to peak on Wednesday - and could reach 25C across western Scotland and Wales.

Conditions will be dry and settled, but feel cooler at night. Pollen counts will also be high.

South West England and Wales are set to have the highest temperatures for the remainder of the bank holiday.

Two men died having been pulled from the sea near Torbay in Devon during the hot weather on Saturday, with emergency services warning people against swimming in non-guarded areas.