Bumper bank holiday crowds have packed onto beaches, in parks and at beauty spots for what is the hottest day of the year so far.
Lucky Brits have been roasting in temperatures of up to 23.4C for the first day of the long Easter weekend - with an unseasonal heatwave now on the cards.
The Met Office announced this afternoon the record for 2022 had been broken with 22C recorded in central London's St James Park.
The previous hottest day on March 23 - recorded in the same place - was toppled by a full 1.2C.
And the weather agency added it expected the readings to get higher as the day went on.
The mercury went on to shoot up even further, with the highest reading at around 4pm.
The Met Office also said the sun was as strong as it usually is in late August and early September.
But it was still a little way off the hottest ever Good Friday, which reached 26.9C in 2011.
Nevertheless, millions of sun worshippers were making the most of their day off.
Brighton Beach was amongst the most popular destinations, while families have also been spotted crabbing on the quay in Mudeford, Dorset, and paddle-boarding in the sea off Bournemouth Beach.
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Visitors to Greenwich Park in the capital have been enjoying the recently fully bloomed Cherry Blossom.
And others were wowed by the bright tulip flowers in Whitehall Gardens, Westminster, bathed in the spring sunshine.
"The temperature has risen to 22C at St James's Park in London making it the #WarmestDayOfTheYearSofar," the Met Office tweeted at 1.30pm.
"We will see them climb a little further over the next few hours too."
The sunny shift, which is expected to last for the the whole of the weekend and peak with a day of clear blue skies on Sunday, has come at the perfect time for many.
The extra long bank holiday weekend means families across the country can come together to swap eggs and relax in the balmy weather.
From early this morning roads across the UK were clogged with hopeful sun worshippers heading to the coast, river banks and parks in a bid to enjoy the rays.
The weather in the UK today was hotter than in the party island of Ibiza, which topped out at 18C.
Ahead of the warm turn today, Met Office meteorologist Steven Keates predicted that most parts of the UK would enjoy sunny spells and high temperatures.
He urged beach-goers to “stick on the sunscreen” and drink plenty of water to protect against higher-than-average UV levels.
The strength of UV rays could hit 6, which is considered “high” on the Met Office’s index.
This increase has been caused by slightly depleted stratospheric ozone, which helps protect Earth from the rays, he said.
Naturally occurring reactions in the atmosphere as well as man-made emissions both contribute to the phenomenon, which is usually temporary, the forecaster added.
He said: “It’s a naturally fluctuating cycle, in part not helped by human emissions. There will be a short-term, slight depletion (in stratospheric ozone)… and the sun gets stronger in mid-April as well.
“So if you’re going to be outside for a long time, stick on the sunscreen and protect yourself basically as there’s a slightly elevated risk of sunburn.”
Not everyone is seeing summer-like heat and clear skies, with the Met Office warning this afternoon "some heavy showers" had developed across western parts of Northern Ireland.
"These could bring difficult driving conditions in some areas for a time," it added in a tweet.
Mr Keates had said that some coastal areas may experience "misty and murky" conditions caused by cloud earlier in the day but a lot of areas would be "bright if not sunny".
South-western parts of England and Wales saw misty and cloudy weather during the morning.
Late in the afternoon there could be some showers across the Pennines and southern Scotland, but they are unlikely to be heavy, he added.
Cornwall Council is among the local authorities to have warned people heading out to enjoy the sun to "do your bit" to stop the spread of Covid.
In a Facebook post this morning it said people should "wash their hands, wear a face covering where you can and keep your distance in crowded places this Easter".
And on Twitter it urged people who were feeling unwell or had coronavirus symptoms to stay at home.
Although the Government lifted all restrictions on 24 February, the council is encouraging people to do these three things that were previously subject to rigid rules.
It said: "With Covid cases HIGH across Cornwall, we're asking everyone to take extra care this Easter and keep doing your bit to help stop the spread."
The Met Office's five day forecast
Today
Fine and dry with warm sunny spells for most, early fog patches in the south soon clearing. Cloudier in the west and southwest with a few showers, mainly Northern Ireland where they may be heavy at times.
Tonight
Daytime showers largely fading, with rain moving north-eastwards across parts of Scotland. Elsewhere, dry with some low cloud, mist and fog patches chiefly Northern Ireland and southern Britain.
Saturday
Most areas dry with warm sunny spells once early low cloud, mist and fog patches clear. Cloudier in northwest, perhaps some rain later far west of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday
Many regions dry on Sunday with warm sunny spells. Rain affecting Northern Ireland and western Scotland, becoming more widespread on Monday and turning cooler. Sunshine and showers on Tuesday.
