The Met Office has confirmed today is the hottest day of the year so far.
The 22C at St James’s Park in London is the warmest temperature recorded anywhere in the UK in 2022.
The Met Office added that they expect the temperature to rise even further throughout the day.
In a tweet on their official page, the Met Office said: “The temperature has risen to 22C at St James's Park in London making it the warmest day of the year so far.
“We will see them climb a little further over the next few hours too.”
Speaking earlier in the day, Met Office meteorologist Steven Keates urged beach-goers to “stick on the sunscreen” and drink plenty of water to protect against higher-than-average UV levels.
Experts have urged beach-goers to wear sunscreen
Victoria Jones
The strength of UV rays could hit 6, which is considered “high” on the Met Office’s index.
This increase has been caused by slightly depleted stratospheric ozone, which helps protect Earth from the rays, he said.
Naturally occurring reactions in the atmosphere as well as man-made emissions both contribute to the phenomenon, which is usually temporary, the forecaster added.
He said: “It’s a naturally fluctuating cycle, in part not helped by human emissions. There will be a short-term, slight depletion (in stratospheric ozone)… and the sun gets stronger in mid-April as well.
“So if you’re going to be outside for a long time, stick on the sunscreen and protect yourself basically as there’s a slightly elevated risk of sunburn.”
Mr Keates said that some coastal areas may experience “misty and murky” conditions caused by cloud earlier in the day but a lot of areas would be “bright if not sunny”.
The UK has been bathed in sunshine on Good Friday
Andrew Matthews