Britain hotter than Barcelona - but it's bad news for hay fever sufferers (2025)

Experts say that temperatures could hit as high as 24C at the weekend in central and south-east England, but the heat could ramp up symptoms for hay fever sufferers

Britain is set for sunshine throughout most of the weekend in a 24C heatwave. The scorcher will make the UK hotter than Barcelona.

The Met Office said yesterday (FRI) may have been the hottest day of the year so far, with highs of 23C. It was 10C above the average April temperature. But experts say temperatures could hit 24C at the weekend in central and south-east England.

The hottest day of the year so far was on April 4 with a high of 23.7C in Otterbourne, Hampshire. Historically low rainfall has seen England experience its sixth driest March – with Wales having its fourth driest since records began in 1836.

Dan Stroud, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “The average for this time of year is around 13C.

“We’ve got high pressure at the moment which effectively acts like a force field.

“It actually keeps fronts and clouds largely at bay and keeps conditions settled and dry underneath the area of high pressure.”

But instead of celebrating the warm weather during the Easter break, fire chiefs have raised the alarm it could spark potentially devastating foliage blazes.

London Fire Brigade’s assistant commissioner Thomas Goodall warned: “The risk of wildfires in London currently is heightened and this risk increases with every day that passes without rainfall.

“Over the Easter holidays, parents should ensure that their children understand the fire risks to help protect our open spaces.”

Dry conditions over the last week saw wildfires reported in Scotland, Dorset and South Wales – with firefighters battling the infernos for hours before bringing them under control.

This year has seen at least 286 wildfires plague the UK.

It’s more than 100 above the number recorded in the same period in 2022.

Experts are also warning pets could pile pain on hay fever sufferers in the heatwave.

They say symptoms caused by the rare “pollen bomb” set to blast the UK at the weekend could be worsened by contact with pets.

Keeping dogs and cats out of the bedroom and avoiding sleeping with them is key to easing hay fever, according to boffs.

They say pet hair can carry the pollen and embed it in mattresses and carpets of bedrooms.

MattressOnline teamed up with Helen A Brough, an allergist and Professor of Paediatric Allergy at King’s College London, to put together the best hacks to help hay fever sufferers ease symptoms and get a good night’s sleep.

Prof Brough advised: “Don’t sleep with your pet A pet can be your best friend, but not during hay fever season.

“Living with a pet will make it more difficult for you to take control of the pollen infiltration in your home, as it will often stick to their fur.

“For this reason, try to hang out with your pets outside the bedroom and avoid sleeping with them to alleviate your hay fever symptoms.”

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