UK News: Above-average temperatures forecast for Easter Sunday with conditions 'bright and dry'

The UK is set to bask in warmer than usual weather this Easter Sunday as the high temperatures across the country continue.

© PA People enjoy the good weather at Bournemouth beach in Dorset on Saturday

Forecasters have said temperatures could reach highs of 19C (66.2F) across England and Wales on Sunday, before cooling to 16C (60.8F) in East Anglia on Monday.

Sunday could see some mist and fog at the start before the day turns drier with sunshine in the eastern parts of the UK.

Northern Ireland is predicted to have rain, which may then spread to western parts of Scotland, western Wales and southwest England overnight.

Sunbathers hit beach before mercury soars to 20C in time for Easter

Highs of 20C (68F) are predicted for the south of England later this week and into the Easter weekend - a few degrees above average for the time of year. Similar temperatures are also forecast for Easter weekend, with dry and sunny conditions expected.The Met Office tweeted: 'Temperatures will be on the rise over the coming days as warmer air spreads across the UK. There's the potential to reach 20C (68F) in southern areas towards the end of the week.'Meanwhile, bookmaker Coral has slashed the odds on this spring being the warmest since records began in the UK from 5-1 to 2-1.

Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said: "Sunday's mostly dry across the vast majority of the country, apart from the far west, but it will turn slightly cloudy as the day goes on.

"So whereas yesterday and today we've had lots of sunshine, tomorrow it will be more milky sunshine, because we'll have very high level clouds coming in. But it will still be bright and dry and a little bit cooler tomorrow.

"Most of the rain is overnight, from Sunday night into bank holiday Monday morning. As it makes its way eastwards it kind of fizzles out.

"We will see some rain across predominantly Wales, northwest England and western Scotland, but by the time most people are up, it will be dry."

London weather: Exact date this week UK will be hotter than Greece during mini-heatwave

Londoners will enjoy warmer weather this long weekend While London is basking in 18C heat and sunny spells, parts of Greece will only see highs of 15C or 16C on Wednesday (April 13). Good news if you're staying home or opted for a staycation this Easter.

He added that there will be a "fairly cloudy start", but "it will break up to the brighter sunny spells and isolated light showers (are) possible, but the only real rain is by time we get to the evening in western Scotland".

It comes after Saturday was another warm day as temperatures across the UK reached above the seasonal average.

Read more: Everything you need to know amid fears of road and rail chaos

Chivenor in Devon, southwest England, had the highest recorded temperature in the UK with 21.6C (70.88F), which was hotter than Istanbul in Turkey with 16C (60.8F) and Athens in Greece with 21C (69.8F).

Cardiff, in south Wales, reached highs of 21.2C (70.16F) while Altnaharra, in northern Scotland, was 19.3C (66.74F). Armagh in Northern Ireland saw temperatures rise to 15.2C (59.36F).

© PA Bluebells in Sussex amid warm weather this week

Meanwhile, motorists could face a busy Easter Sunday but traffic is said to be flowing as people make their getaways for the bank holiday weekend.

The motoring organisation predicted a total of 27.6 million journeys will be made over a busier than usual Easter weekend as people enjoy the good weather, embark on staycations and avoid train travel due to engineering works.

© PA Traffic jams on the M3 near Egham, Surrey on Friday