FORECASTERS are predicting that Wednesday is set to be the hottest day so far this year in the UK.

The temperature is forecast to hit 27C in London and the South East - and though it is not set to reach quite that high in Wales, there should be plenty of sunshine to bask in - while continuing to observe the lockdown restrictions in place here, of course.

There are differing forecasts as to what the temperature might be on Wednesday in Newport and the rest of Gwent, however.

The Met Office is forecasting a 'high' of 19C, while the BBC suggests it may be as high as 23C or 24C. That's quite a difference - but the common denominator is uninterrupted sunshine throughout the day.

Tomorrow is set to bring plenty of sunshine to Gwent, though the temperature is likely to reach no higher than 16C or 17C.

Tuesday will be cloudier before Wednesday's sunshine, with Thursday set to cloudy. After that, the sun makes an appearance again amid cloudy spells on Friday, before imposed itself once more on Saturday.

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But the temperature by then is set to be somewhat lower. The Met Office is forecasting a high of 14C in Newport and across much of Gwent, though it could feel two or three degrees cooler in the wind.

Parts of the UK will be warmer than some of Europe’s top holiday destinations, including Marbella and Ibiza, on Wednesday.

It will be largely dry across the UK through the week, though there is a possibility of thunder and bands of rain across the south and east of England and Wales on Thursday, while Friday could be windy, mainly for western areas, with heavy downpours.