The UK is set for a hot and sunny Easter weekend as a surge of warm weather replaces the recent chilly conditions.

Temperatures are forecast to rise across the country in time for the bank holiday break and, although it will not be as hot as this time last year when the mercury nearly touched 22C (71.6F), we can look forward to temperatures in the low 20s.

April 2018 was the third hottest April on record, according to National Geographic, and the UK saw its warmest April day since 1949 on 19 April when temperatures soared to an exceptional 29.1C (84.38F) at St James’s Park.

Sky weather forecaster Isobel Lang said we should still expect some morning mist and fog but there will be “plenty of strong sunshine” to follow and “we could get close to those previous highest temperatures”.

The top temperature inland is likely to rise from around 19 or 20C (66.2 or 68F) today to around 24C (75.2F) over the weekend.

Exposed coasts will be cooler but northeast England and eastern Scotland will enjoy a noticeable jump through Friday and Saturday as we lose the nagging easterly wind.

The widespread warmth is likely to linger through Saturday but some rain is possible in the North West on Sunday as temperatures there weaken.

It could see the UK boast temperatures hotter than Corfu, Bodrum in southern Turkey and Spanish tourist hotspot Marbella.

We have recorded high temperatures before over the Easter weekend.

In 2011, Wisley in Surrey saw 27.8C (82.4F) on Easter Saturday, the highest temperature recorded during an Easter weekend. That temperature was matched in 1949 in Heathrow and Mildenhall, Suffolk.

Solent in Hampshire reached 25.3C (77.54F) on the Easter Sunday and then 24C (75.2F) on the Easter Monday.

“Although we are unlikely to beat 27.8C it does look as though we could get close to those previous highest temperatures during Easter Sunday and Monday,” Isobel Lang said.

“North Sea temperatures are just about at their lowest at this time or year so onshore winds will be chilly.

“However there should be a good jump up in temperatures across eastern Scotland and northeast England later this week as we lose that east to southeast breeze,” she added.

One word of warning: Be prepared for higher tree pollen levels and UV levels too, Isobel Lang said.

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