The hottest day of the year has been declared by the Met Office, with Northolt in Greater London reaching 19.2C, making it the warmest day of 2026 so far. The London area is set to experience the highest temperatures today.

Despite the soaring temperatures, the weather is expected to shift later in the day, with rainy showers forecasted for northern England, Wales, and south-east Scotland. Some snowfall is also predicted over the Pennines and Southern Uplands by BBC Weather.

Tomorrow, the Met Office foresees increasing cloud cover for most of England and Wales, with temperatures dropping to around 11C to 12C. Conversely, Ireland and Scotland are likely to enjoy continued sunny weather.

The weekend outlook includes a mix of patchy clouds and sunshine, with temperatures reaching highs of 12C to 13C on Saturday and 14C on Sunday.

A stunning sunset is anticipated across the country this evening, caused by dust from the Saharan desert being carried by warm winds towards the UK, potentially resulting in “blood rain” when the dust interacts with rainfall.

Satellite imagery shows Saharan dust approaching southern parts of the UK, promising vibrant sunsets and the possibility of “blood rain,” which may leave cars and windows dirty. The Met Office notes that the dust particles from North Africa may create hazier skies over the weekend and contributed to the recent warm air influx.

The Met Office explains that the color of the rain may vary based on the dust concentration in the atmosphere, with a chance of reddish “blood rain.” This phenomenon occurs when red particles mix with water droplets in the clouds.

While concentrations of dust are expected to be relatively low, resulting in rain that is unlikely to appear noticeably red, a light residue of yellowish or brownish dust may be visible on surfaces post-shower.

Drivers and homeowners are advised to expect dust accumulation on cars and windows, along with slightly reduced visibility at higher elevations. Those with respiratory sensitivities may notice an uptick in airborne dust, though overall health concerns are minimal.

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