The UK experienced its hottest day of the year on Tuesday, with temperatures exceeding 25°C in some areas, according to the Met Office. Porthmadog in North Wales recorded 25.1°C, surpassing Sunday's previous 2023 record of 24.4°C in Plymouth.
Scotland and Northern Ireland also saw their highest temperatures of the year, reaching 24.5°C in Tyndrum, Stirling, and Castlederg, County Tyrone, respectively. Met Office senior meteorologist Rachel Ayers attributed the warm weather to high pressure centred to the west of the UK, bringing settled conditions and clear skies.
However, eastern coastal regions experienced cooler temperatures due to an onshore breeze from the North Sea, with Kent and the north-east coast seeing around 13°C. Cloud is expected to push further west overnight, affecting Wales and south-west England.
Over the coming days, an east-west split will persist, with western areas enjoying warmer temperatures and sunshine, while eastern parts remain cooler and cloudier. Those heading to the south-east coast for half-term may be disappointed, as blustery north-easterly winds will make it feel cooler.
Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud noted that May has been “very dry” with just over half the normal rainfall. The outlook suggests mainly fine and settled weather, with warm sunshine for many, though low cloud may persist in northern and eastern areas.
