It’s time to ditch your winter coat as parts of the UK are expected to be hotter than Ibiza and Corfu this week.
The scorching temperatures are set to arrive after today’s Equilux – a day where we get to enjoy 12 hours of daylight.
The Equilux, meaning ‘equal light’ occurs before the official start of Spring and marks when the day and night are equal.
And from tomorrow the days will officially become longer than nights.
The Equinox on Thursday marks the beginning of astronomical Spring and temperatures could reach 21C in the South of England.
Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell said: ‘We’re expecting quite a lot of dry weather, increasing amounts of sunshine as we head through the next few days.
‘By Wednesday, we’re looking at highs of about 17C in the south. And then on Thursday, we could get as high as 19C.’
These temperatures are eight degrees hotter than average for this time of year and estimated to be hotter than Ibiza and Corfu on the same day.
The Equinox on Thursday marks the beginning of astronomical Spring and happens twice a year in March and September
Temperatures on Thursday are eight degrees hotter than average for this time of year and estimated to be hotter than Ibiza and Corfu on the same day
On Thursday, Ibiza is expected to be a mere 17C and Corfu will likely be 16C.
Ms Mitchell did warn that the start of the week will still feel chilly with some overnight frost.
The forecaster said: ‘So the temperatures we have got currently are around average, which is about 10C.
‘But we’ve also got quite a chilly wind at the moment, so it’s making it feel even colder.
‘But by the time we get to Wednesday and Thursday, temperatures will be about eight degrees above average in some places.
‘The spring equinox will coincide with some nice warm weather, definitely feeling spring-like.’
The Equinox happens twice a year in March and September, and on March 20, will occur at exactly 9.01am.
It means the Earth’s axis isn’t pointed towards or away from the sun.
The start of the week will still feel chilly with some overnight frost before the Equinox on Thursday
The Equinox happens twice a year in March and September, and on March 20, will occur at exactly 9.01am
The Equinox on Thursday marks the beginning of astronomical Spring and temperatures could reach 19C in the South of England
And no matter where you are on the planet, the Equinox will occur at the exact same time.
Miss Mitchell added: ‘Parts of the South East, across the Midlands will be the warmest spots on Wednesday.
‘On Thursday that warmth travels a bit further north so it’s going to feel pretty warm across southern Scotland, Northern Ireland and the whole of England and Wales.
‘There’s really just northern Scotland that will keep hold of the colder weather though the middle of the week.’