London recorded its warmest day of the year so far after temperatures hit 23.4C - making the capital hotter than California.
The mercury soared to the new high in St James’s Park in central London on Good Friday afternoon, the Met Office said.
The previous high for the year was 20.8C, which was recorded in March.
UK Spring Weather: Easter Good Friday 2022 Heatwave
But the warm weather has not been limited to the capital, with the mercury reaching the high teens in northern areas including Yorkshire and parts of Scotland.
Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said: "Friday was the warmest day of the year so far with most of England dry and sunny.
“Skies were blue and many enjoyed a very nice start to the Easter weekend."
Beachgoers were urged 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, Met Office forecasters added.
They said earlier Friday: “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.”
However, scattered showers and fog will begin to appear in Scotland and Northern Ireland, on Friday night, forecasters predict, before a slightly cooler Saturday, with highs of 22C in southern England.
Mr Partridge added: "It will be a fairly cloudy start to the morning before developing into a rather fine and sunny day on the most part.
"Areas in the central and southern England, such as the West Midlands, are most likely to reach the low twenties.
"It will then become gradually cooler going into Sunday, with showers in Scotland and Northern Ireland, while most other areas should remain pleasant."
