THE temperature is expected to rise even higher on Wednesday with forecasts predicting highs of 25C in St Helens this afternoon.
The sunshine is set to continue for most of the UK and could hit 28C (82.4F).
Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: "There will be a bit of a grey, misty start for some first thing but that will quickly burn away.
"The vast majority of the UK will have a dry day with sunny spells, if not blue skies all day for some."
He predicted the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures in the 20s and highs of 28C in the London area.
Temperatures locally are predicted cool on Thursday and Friday, dropping slightly below 20C.
Mr Dewhurst predicted a windy start to the weekend with sunshine and showers for many with the weather gradually turning drier from the south on Sunday and into bank holiday Monday.
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