UK weather: Dazzling 26C heatwave will make Britain hotter than TURKEY this week as beach-lovers soak up the sun

SCORCHING sunshine will make Britain hotter than Turkey this week as beach-lovers soak up a five day heatwave.

Brits are out and about today in 19C heat and Northern Ireland has reached its hottest temperature of the year so far with 19.1C in Magilligan.

But it’s only going to get hotter with the mercury likely to reach as high as 26C in the South this week.

London will bake in highs of 21C from Monday, while Turkey’s capital Istanbul won’t get hotter than 19C until the weekend.

British beaches will top the temperature of the Turkish holiday destination and feel similar to Ibiza.

A sizzling Saturday saw Brits flock to the sea to catch some rays, as beaches like Bournemouth heaved with sunseekers.

The warm weekend has dragged crowds outdoors to the coast, to parks and pub gardens.

The soaring heat heading for the UK could even overtake April 15 as the hottest day of the year so far.

Good Friday was a gorgeous 23.4C in St James’s Park in London, but May might very well break 2022’s current record.

By the time the Jubilee bank holiday rolls around, it could be a scorching 30C.

Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said: “It’s likely we’ll see those warm and much warmer-than-average temperatures across the UK.

“UV levels will likely be high.”

Today will feel warm with sunny spells, but a thicker cloud an some rain will dampen the northwest this evening.

And rainy weather could plague the rest of the month despite its warmth.

The Met Office said: “The end of May is likely to bring more unsettled weather, with spells of rain or showers for most, and some heavy and thundery showers are possible.

“Drier and sunnier spells remain likely, particularly in the south and southwest.

“Temperatures are likely to remain above average, with very warm spells possible, especially in the southeast.”