UK set to be hotter than Athens this week as sunny weather continues

Environment
20 Apr 2026 • 4:33 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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UK set to be hotter than Athens this week as sunny weather continues

The UK is set to be hotter than Athens this week as sunny weather continues.

According to the latest Met Office forecast, temperatures will peak at 19C in Cardiff and 18C in London on Thursday.

After a period of sunny intervals to start the working week, London will see warm conditions on Wednesday, with highs of 17C forecast.

That will continue into the weekend, with temperatures of 18C expected on Friday and Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Greek capital will see temperatures of 17C on Thursday, with wind and rain expected, according to the latest BBC forecast.

According to the latest Met Office forecast, temperatures will peak at 19C on Thursday (Met Office)

It will be considerably warmer in the British capital than Istanbul on Thursday as well, with temperatures set to peak at 13C in the Turkish city, after 11C on Wednesday.

Sunny intervals are expected in London on Monday and Tuesday, with 14C and 15C the respective forecast highs.

It won’t just be the capital that will be enjoying warm weather this week, either.

Highs of 18C are expected in Manchester and London on Thursday and 19C in Cardiff.

People sit on sun loungers on the banks of The Serpentine lake in Hyde Park, London (AFP/Getty)

Met Office’s latest five-day forecast for the UK

Monday

Early showers in the North and East, breaking out more widely during the day, and turning locally heavy. Some southern and western areas staying mostly fine and dry, with some warm sunshine.

Monday night

Showers gradually fading this evening. Clear spells at first, but cloud will thicken in the East with drizzly outbreaks. Strengthening winds in the South.

Tuesday

Grey skies at first in the East with drizzly outbreaks. Turning drier and brighter through the day with warm sunny spells for most. Windy in the South.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday

Largely settled through mid-week, but turning rather windy in the South. Cloudy at times along eastern coasts with an onshore breeze. Warming up in the West.

UK long-range weather forecast from the Met Office

High pressure is likely to be centred close to or across the UK through much of this period. So many places will be largely dry with clear or sunny periods.

Colder air will try to push into the country from the north toward next weekend, but will probably only make limited progress into the North East for a brief time, where it could bring a short-lived showery interlude, some of these wintry.

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