Bank Holiday Monday tipped to be the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures set to hit 25C

BANK Holiday Monday is tipped to be the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures set to hit 25C.

But that record won't last long - and on Wednesday, the mercury could rocket again to a sweltering 27C, forecasters believe.

🔵 Read our UK weather live blog for the latest forecasts

Brits will bask in a mini-heatwave over the next fortnight, with thousands of us heading to beaches and parks to make the most of the sunshine.

After a thoroughly miserable May, summer finally seems to be on the way - and it'll only get better in the coming days.

Today is set to be the warmest day of the year so far, although it's unlikely to be the highest temperature of the week.

In extremely welcome news to fed-up sun-worshippers, the mercury will remain at an average of 18C between June 2 and 11.

The temperature peaked at a gorgeous 24C on Sunday.

The hottest day of the year so far was back in March, when 24.5C was recorded at Kew Gardens on the 30th.

Becky Mitchell, a meteorologist from the Met Office, said: "We're expecting highs of 25C on Monday, so the warmest day of the year so far.

"Both Sunday and Monday will see temperatures in the low 20s in most parts of the UK - even in northern Scotland."

Only the east coast will see cooler temperatures

"There is quite a lot of low cloud, mist and fog in east coastal areas and that will stay for the next few days," Becky said.

"There'll be highs of between 12C and 16C there - quite a lot lower than elsewhere."

But thunderstorms could be on the way - and we've all been urged to make the most of the sunshine while it's here.

"There will potentially be some thunderstorms by midweek," Becky said.

"There's a chance of thundery breakdowns in the south-east. We could have some quite intense storms there."

Warm temperatures are expected until at least Thursday - and on Wednesday, we could even see 27C.

Brits packed out beaches across the coastline at the weekend as they enjoyed the sunshine after weeks of rain and strong winds.

Families flocked to Bournemouth beach early on Sunday, while tourists were seen sunbathing on punts down the River Cam in Cambridge.

And in Lyme Regis, Dorset, Brits arrived in their dozens to make the most of the Bank Holiday weekend in the balmy weather.

The weather stayed fine and dry yesterday as Brits make the most of their newly restored freedoms following the lifting of many lockdown restrictions.

And millions of us will be making the most of the last day off work today with a bask in the sun.

But before catching some rays, the Met Office has warned the public to make sure they don plenty of sun cream - as UV levels will be high.

Experts said: "Keep covered and wear a hat and sunglasses, spend time in the shade and use a high factor sun cream with good UVA protection to protect yourself."

And it's now just a 2/1 chance with Ladbrokes that June 2021 goes down in the record books as the hottest ever.

With temperatures set to rise even further as the sixth month of the year commences, the bookies make it 2/1 that June is officially a scorcher.

Jessica O'Reilly of Ladbrokes said: "June's joyful weather looks set to get off to a great start, and the odds suggest it'll continue all month long."