Scotland to be hotter than Benidorm this week - day temperatures will hit 20C (2025)

Scotland will see a bright and beautiful start to April with the mercury rising higher than major European hotspots

British Summertime officially arrived when the clocks went forward on Sunday, March 30, bringing with it a taste of the tropics. And the latest forecast predicts things are set to get warmer.

Scotland enjoyed balmy sunshine and warm temperatures during periods in March, with the country even recording temperatures greater than Spain and Portugal on the first day of spring. And there is more to come, thanks to a bout of high pressure heading towards the country.

The Met Office reports the first week of April will see "clear skies and warm sunshine for many," with the nation set to out-weather some major European cities and holiday hotspots yet again.

Parts of Scotland are set to reach a whopping 20C on Wednesday, April 2, meaning the country will be hotter than Benidorm and Madrid in Spain, and Lisbon in Portugal on the same day. Scotland will also equal the temperature in Rome, Italy.

The Met Office forecast reads: "After light rain clears the north of Scotland on Monday, there will be a consistently dry spell of weather for the whole of the UK... [and] Tuesday will see a sunny start for nearly everyone across the UK.

"Wednesday will be another day of widespread sunshine, with temperatures possibly reaching 20C, especially in northeast Scotland where... temperatures will be amplified during the day.

"Thursday is likely to bring the highest temperatures of the week... [with] temperatures widely in the high teens across the UK."

The statement added that a breeze and cold seas will make coastal areas slightly cooler, while low cloud moving in from the North Sea will keep temperatures lower along the east coast through Thursday and Friday.

Nights will also remain chilly with frosts possible through the week, mainly in rural areas. But we will take that if it means getting our sun cream and deck chairs out during the day.

Elsewhere, in European cities that usually outshine Scotland considerably, Madrid will reach 17C accompanied by light showers and a breeze, according to BBC Weather.

And in Benidorm - a resort popular with Brits - the mercury will reach highs of 18Cs on Wednesday with the sun blocked by cloud. City-slickers in Lisbon will have to settle with 15C - five degrees below Scotland.

"The UK will have a sunny start to April this week," Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Paul Gundersen, said. "Temperatures will slowly build, with highs of 21-22C possible by Thursday

"It will be a dry week too. At this time of the year, we do start to see higher UV levels, so if you are outside enjoying the sunshine do think about protecting yourself from the sun as even in April it is strong enough to burn your skin."

In even more good news for Scots sun-worshippers, sunshine and warm temperatures will continue into the end of the week and into the weekend, with temperatures of up to 20C forecast for Friday.

"High pressure is forecast to remain dominant through the weekend and indeed at the start of next week, meaning a prolonged spell of settled weather for the UK with little in the way of rainfall and plenty of sunshine," Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Mike Silverstone.