UK weather map reveals where in Britain will be warmer than Corfu this week - with parts of the country likely to soak in 20C rays

Parts of England are set to be hotter than Corfu as the country ushers in the start of spring with a bang. 

The Met Office is predicting that the mercury will rise to a whopping 20C on Thursday March 20 - the spring equinox which marks the start of the season - in parts of the south of England. 

This is two degrees warmer than Ibiza and the Greek island of Corfu.

Meanwhile parts of northern England will see temperatures as high of 17C. Unfortunately for Brits living in Scotland the weather will be chillier hovering around 10C.

It isnt expected to be as warm as the 19.7C recorded on March 9 at the Merseyside weather station. 

Sadly, the unseasonably warm temperatures will not last with the weather taking a turn for the worse over the weekend with showers forecast. 

The hottest March day on record remains March 29 1968 when temperatures reached a balmy 25.6C. 

This is warm enough to be considered a heatwave by modern definitions. 

Two women relax on Wimbledon common enjoying the sunshine in August 2024. Parts of England are set to be hotter than Corfu and Ibiza as the country ushers in the start of spring with a bang

The Met Office is predicting that the mercury will rise to a whopping 20C on Thursday March 20 in parts of the south of England. Meanwhile parts of northern England will see temperatures as high of 17C

A field of daffodils in Cornwall. The sudden burst of heat comes during the spring equinox which marks the start of the season

Corfu  in Greece where temperatures will cooler than they are in parts of England later this week 

Becky Mitchell, a Met Office meteorologist, speaking to the Daily Telegraph, said the weather will feel spring-like to coincide with the spring equinox.

She said: Were expecting quite a lot of dry weather and increasing amounts of sunshine as we head through the next few days.

By Wednesday, were looking at highs of about 17C in the south. And then on Thursday, we could get as high as 19C.

Ms Mitchell said The sudden burst of heat is due to a large area of high pressure system, which tends to bring dry and sunny weather. 

And the southerly breeze is expected to be warm and gentle adding to pleasant weather expected this week.

The latest forecast is in stark contrast to the weather last week where temperatures plummeted to 8C as northerly winds brought particularly chilly air all the way from the Arctic.

Some areas, including the Southern Uplands, the Shropshire Hills and the Cotswolds, even saw some snowfall. 

Punters heading to Cheltenham for a day of racing were too affected by a brief spell of snow on the second day of the festival.