Map reveals where in UK will be hotter than Algarve TODAY as temps to soar to 22C & Met Office issues amber warning
BRITS can look forward to basking in 22C today as parts of the UK are set to be hotter than the Algarve.
It comes as The Met Office issued an amber wildfire warning to prevent horrific infernos similar to those seen recently in Los Angeles and South Korea.
The amber warning was in place earlier this week for most of England, including London, Dover in Kent and Wiltshire.
It also extended into Northern Ireland and southern Scotland on Wednesday.
Today much of the UK will remain dry and sunny, with some areas in central London set to reach 22C by 2pm.
Much of the country will hover in the early 20s or later teens, while slightly lower figures are predicted in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
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Met Office meteorologists said conditions will feel "nearer to what we'd expect in July".
The average temperature for this time of year is around 12C in England and 10C in Scotland.
It would also make this the hottest day of the year so far.
The highest temperature recorded so far was 21.3C in Northolt, west London, and Chertsey, Surrey, on March 20.
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It means the country is expected to be warmer than Marbella and Ibiza in Spain, Mykonos in Greece and even Los Angeles in California, according to Met Office forecasts.
Southern England hit highs of 20.7C on Thursday, while Achnagart in the Scottish Highlands reached 20.1C.
A Met Office spokesperson said: "Temperatures (on Thursday) have been nearer to what we'd expect in July in some inland and western areas, but conversely a chilly easterly breeze has kept many eastern coastal regions much colder."
Forecaster Dan Stroud explained: "We've got an area of cloud and showery outbreaks of rain moving northwards across south-west England and parts of Wales overnight tonight and into tomorrow.
"So that will bring some welcome rain for small parts of the country, but much of the country is looking at another fine and dry spring day tomorrow with a lot of warm sunshine on offer, although still holding on to those cool temperatures near the east coast.
"But one thing we are expecting tomorrow is for temperatures to creep up into 23C or maybe the odd isolated 24C, so potentially the warmest day of the year so far."
It comes as firefighters have been tackling major blazes in Scotland and Dorset.
Crews have been fighting a large grass fire at Gartur Moss in Port of Menteith, Stirling.
The alarm was raised around noon on Wednesday and four fire engines remained at the scene on Thursday morning.
Fire services previously extinguished a wildfire near Bonhill in West Dunbartonshire and another in the Kilpatrick Hills near Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire, earlier this week.
Elsewhere, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) said their teams were called to the park again on Wednesday after more hotspots were discovered during a reinspection near Ringwood.
Several hectares of woodland have been destroyed.
And, firefighters responded to two more major wildfires in the area overnight.
DWFRS said both fires had been brought under control by 7am, with crews continuing to damp down hotspots.
The London Fire Brigade has also urged people to refrain from using disposable barbecues and to properly dispose of cigarettes, matches and litter, to prevent fire hazards.
London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner Paul McCourt said: "We want everyone to enjoy the sunshine but we urge people to take the necessary precautions to stay safe and help prevent a grass fire from starting.
"Recent events in Los Angeles and South Korea have demonstrated how rapidly fires can spread outdoors, even when temperatures are not at their highest.
"The Met Office has issued an amber wildfire warning, covering London, and this will be in place for the rest of the week.
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"As the weather warms up and we head towards Friday and the weekend, we would urge Londoners not to have barbecues in open spaces or on balconies, including disposable barbecues, to throw rubbish away, and to dispose of cigarettes carefully to avoid inadvertently starting a fire.
"We're also working closely with partners, such as local authorities, to help manage the risks in outdoor spaces and ensure the public are following the safety advice."
UK 5 day weather forecast
Today
Cloud and showery rain across southwest England, Wales and Northern Ireland will gradually clear, as will patchy low cloud across northeast Scotland. Otherwise dry and settled with lots of warm sunshine. A cooling easterly breeze, especially near North Sea coasts.
Tonight
A dry evening and night with mostly clear skies. Some low cloud developing in the north and east. Turning frosty in parts of the north. Breezy, especially across the south.
Saturday
Low cloud lingering across some northeastern areas, where feeling chilly. Elsewhere a dry and settled day with unbroken sunshine. Warm in the sunshine, though a cooling easterly breeze in places.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday
High pressure will maintain generally fine weather with plenty of warm sunshine during the day. Often cooler near to North Sea coasts though, and some chilly nights with patchy frost.
