Met Office

The island was named the sunniest place in the UK by the Met Office – and it gets more sunshine than parts of Italy during the winter months

You don’t need to jet off to far-flung destinations for a dose of winter sun – there’s a UK island that boasts more sunshine than parts of Italy.

The Isle of Wight has been crowned the sunniest spot in the UK by the Met Office, outshining even Milan and Geneva during the winter months.

According to research from Isle Escapes, the island enjoys an average of 78 hours of sunshine per month between November and February.

That’s a staggering 12 percent more than Milan’s 70 average hours, 15 percent more than Geneva’s 68 hours, and 20 percent more than Paris’ 65 average winter sunshine hours.

This balmy climate could be due to the warming effect of the Solent – the strait that separates the Isle of Wight from mainland England, reports the Express.

The island benefits from its own micro-climate, which means it typically avoids extreme weather conditions like heavy snowfall and thunderstorms during the winter season.

Not only is it the sunniest place in the UK, but this is particularly noticeable during the winter, when the Isle of Wight basks in 42 percent more sunshine hours than the rest of the country.

If you’re keen to soak up some of this sun for yourself, the Isle of Wight offers a fantastic island getaway without straying too far from home.

Located just off the coast of Hampshire, the island is renowned as Britain’s dinosaur capital, with the remains of over 20 species discovered on the island.

The Isle of Wight is a top-notch destination for cycling enthusiasts, boasting numerous tracks and paths that crisscross the island.

For those up to the challenge, you can cycle around the island in a day – a well-signposted route of approximately 105km.

While mostly flat, there are some inclines that will give your thighs a workout, and it can get breezy, so be prepared.

If you’re after a more laid-back holiday, the Isle of Wight has plenty to offer. There’s a host of family-friendly attractions, including the Monkey Haven animal sanctuary, home to meerkats, gibbons, and even snakes, all cared for by keepers who love to chat about their work.

History buffs can visit Osborne – Queen Victoria’s country retreat and family home, now open for tours. After her first visit to Osborne, Queen Victoria wrote: ‘It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot’, and she wasn’t wrong.

A trip to Osborne offers something for everyone. Inside the house, you’ll get a glimpse into Royal life as you explore private apartments and grand reception rooms filled with beautiful furnishings and artworks from the Royal Collection.

And if the sun is out (which it likely will be), you can stroll through flower-filled gardens and relax on the beach where the Royal children learnt to swim.

Perfect staycation town with fairytale castle surrounded by azure sea

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If you’re yearning for a trip to the Isle of Wight, it’s easy to reach from mainland UK. Daily flights depart from Heathrow and Gatwick, or you can opt to fly to Bournemouth or Southampton before hopping on one of the 150 ferry connections to the island which take as little as 45 minutes.

Since the Isle of Wight is part of the UK, there’s no need for your passport – just pack your bag and perhaps a sunhat.

TENS of thousands are without power as Storm Amy’s 90mph gusts and torrential rain lash Britain leaving one dead.

The first named storm of the season has swept into the country with yellow weather warnings covering the whole of Britain on Saturday.

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Irish Police confirmed on Friday that a man in his 40s had died following a “weather related incident”.

While 234,000 homes were also left without power across the island of Ireland as Storm Amy brings widespread disruption.

The highest wind speeds so far have been recorded in the Hebrides Islands, Scotland, at 96mph with 92mph gusts recorded in Co Londonderry in Northern Ireland, say the Met Office.

An amber wind warning has been issued for the north of Scotland until 9pm on Saturday with yellow warnings covering the whole of Scotland, the north of England and north Wales until the end of the day.

A yellow wind warning will run until 7pm for the rest of England and Wales.

Additionally, yellow warnings for rain are in place in north and west Scotland until midnight and in Northern Ireland until noon.

Travel chaos has also been sparked across the country with road closures and disruption to public transport.

Train operator, Avanti West Coast, warned of “short notice changes” on Saturday and “strongly recommended” customers making journeys north of Preston to check updates before travelling.

In Scotland, ScotRail suspended services on Friday night and anticipated the disruption would extend in Saturday and possibly Sunday.

Network Rail Scotland route director Ross Moran said more than 60 incidents of flooding, fallen trees and debris on the tracks were reported across the network in the first two hours of the storm.

“Storm Amy has hit parts of the country much harder and more quickly than expected,” he said.

National Rail is carrying out safety checks for obstructions on the line and damage to infrastructure, warning of possible disruptions throughout the UK on Saturday.

Elsewhere, CalMac Ferries also said it expect many services to be disrupted on Saturday into Sunday with many routes already cancelled.

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The iconic Severn Bridge between Gloucestershire and Wales was also forced to close overnight due to strong winds.

While parts of the A19 Tees Viaduct, the A66 in Cumbria and the A628 near Manchester were all closed to high-sided vehicles.

Traffic Scotland has also reported a long list of road closures with Forth Road Bridge closed in both directions.

The Skye Bridge, Queensferry Crossing and Clackmannshire Bridge were also closed to high-sided vehicles.

They also reported a number of road closures due to falling debris and overnight flooding including the M9 eastbound near Stirling.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency had 30 flood warnings in place on Saturday with the Environment Agency issuing six in the north of England one in north Wales from Natural Resources Wales.

Belfast International Airport said it was expecting delays on Saturday and advised passengers to check with their airlines.

All eight of London’s royal parks, including Hyde Park and Richmond Park, will also be closed on Saturday due to the strong winds.

In a statement on its website, the Royal Parks said: “Due to severe wind gusts caused by Storm Amy, all of the royal parks, plus Brompton Cemetery and Victoria Tower Gardens will be closed on Saturday October 4.

“This closure includes all park roads and cycleways, cafes and kiosks, parks sports venues, the Serpentine lido and boating lake, and the royal parks shop.”

“The safety of visitors and staff is our top priority,” the Royal Parks added.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience that these closures may cause.”

It said opening times on Sunday will be delayed because of safety inspections.

The Met Office said wind and rain was expected to ease throughout the evening for much of the country, but severe gales are forecast to continue in north east Scotland with a yellow warning for wind in place from midnight until 9am on Sunday.

Sunday is expected to turn dry and less windy with sunny spells for most areas, but outbreaks of rain developing in the north west.

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Spain has been hit by a heatwave with the mercury hitting 32C in Seville this week and highs of 35C in Madrid and 31C in Barcelona. The UK has also been issued a yellow heat health warning

Holidaymakers heading to Spain have been urged to take “extreme precautions” as the country swelters under blistering heat that will leave Brits reeling. Temperatures have soared to 32C in Seville this week, with Madrid hitting highs of 35C and Barcelona reaching 31C.

Summer in Spain always sounds like a great idea, but with the temperatures reaching the 35C mark, holidaymakers wishing to spend a couple of days in the hot peninsula might want to be careful.

Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), equivalent to Britain’s Met Office, warned: “The danger of wildfires continues at very high or extreme levels in most of Spain, despite the likelihood of showers in many areas. We are at the most critical moment of the season. Take extreme precautions.” In other travel news, it comes after a warning to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain.

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The country has issued a rare “red” emergency alert with the “maximum” threat facing UK tourists, reports Birmingham Live.

AEMET posted on X: “11/08 11:36 Active warnings today and tomorrow in Spain for maximum temperatures, storms, rain, and suspended dust. Maximum warning level: red. This, combined with the high level of sunshine typical of summer, is causing temperatures to be higher than usual for this time of year, resulting in a heat wave.”

“[Today, Monday] temperatures are expected to rise further in the Ebro basin, the southern and eastern thirds of the Iberian Peninsula, and the eastern Cantabrian Sea. Temperatures will begin to fall in the northwest, most noticeably in Galicia.”

It continued: “Temperatures will therefore continue to reach 37-39C across the interior of the Iberian Peninsula, also extending to the Júcar and Segura regions and the interior of the Basque Country, where temperatures could even exceed 40C locally.”

READ MORE: Europe’s safest city is a seaside gem and it’s a sunny Mediterranean spot

“In the lower Guadalquivir, highs could reach over 42C, and although with low probability, this threshold could also be exceeded in the Ebro Valley and the northeastern depressions, where this day is expected to be the hottest of the episode.”

Meanwhile, a yellow heat health warning has been issued for the UK as most areas have seen the mercury soar past 30C. This is the fourth summer heatwave, with England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland all experiencing blistering temperatures.

A number of water companies were compelled to impose hosepipe bans for activities such as watering gardens, washing cars and filling paddling pools.

The beach is less than a two-hour drive from London

A beach that stretches for miles of golden sand has been hailed “sensational” by a recent visitor. Bathed in sunshine that turns the sea into a sparkling sheet of diamonds, you’d be forgiven for mistaking Camber Sands near Rye in East Sussex for somewhere far-flung.

The beach has been likened to those in Australia, and with this weekend’s glorious weather a trip to the beach could be ideal. Camber Sands lies between the picturesque, historic town of Rye, known for its vibrant harbour and medieval charm, and Dungeness’s striking headland.

The beach sits at the confluence of the River Rother and Rye Bay, reports Kent Live. While the beach often attracts visitors from near and far on days like today, its vastness means you’ll still be able to carve out your own piece of heaven for a mini holiday.

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Government water quality checks reveal that Camber Sands holds a “good” bathing water profile, proud status it’s maintained since 2021, and the beach also boasts a rating of 4.3 stars out of a possible five on Tripadvisor, based on 1,984 reviews.

However, it’s important to remember the tragic incident in 2016 when five men tragically lost their lives after venturing into the sea at Camber Sands. An inquest concluded their unfortunate deaths as misadventure, suggesting they may have strayed too far towards a sandbar rather than being caught in a rip current.

In response to this tragedy, there are now RNLI lifeguards in place and it’s advised to stay within the red and yellow flag areas monitored by the guards when paddling or swimming. Also, be mindful of the fast-approaching tide, and avoid digging deep holes or tunnels in the sand, as advised by Rochester District on its website.

A recent Tripadvisor review of Camber Sands beach reads: “Such a beautiful place that looks like it’s stood still in time. Sensational Sandy beaches and delightful dunes to watch the sea and grab a life bite or a dip in the sea.

“It’s very simple here and great for picnics . It’s truly beautiful and one of the best beaches I have visited in the UK.” Another user wrote: “This beach was just WOW! Miles of perfect golden flat sands……so reminded us of beaches in Australia.”

Some visitors have complained about the parking costs, however, with summer rates as follows: up to an hour £6; one to three hours £12; three to six hours £24; over six hours: £30. Toilet facilities are available at Camber Sands.

Warnings have been issued ahead of many summer holidays

Brits planning a summer getaway to Portugal are being cautioned that the country is entering a period of heightened environmental risk. The Foreign Office has issued a warning, as Portugal faces an increased threat of wildfires from April to October due to the hotter and drier conditions.

Moreover, the wildfire risk spans across the entire country, meaning all travellers to Portugal should exercise caution. British tourists could also face legal issues if they ignore local warnings.

Official advice from the Foreign Office states: “There is an increased risk of wildfires from April to October when the weather is hot and dry. Wildfires can start anywhere in Portugal. Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable.

“The Portuguese authorities may evacuate areas and close roads for safety reasons.” Furthermore, Brits have been warned that it is illegal to start a fire in Portugal, even if by accident.

Committing this offence could potentially lead to a fine or even a prison sentence in some cases. If holidaymakers are travelling to Portugal when there is a risk of a wildfire, they are advised to do the following:

• follow the advice of the Portuguese authorities
• call the emergency services on 112 if you see a fire
• familiarise yourself with local safety and emergency procedures
• check the fire risk index for your location

Further details on the risk of wildfires in Portugal can be found through the nation’s Met Office here. An interactive map is included on the site ,which helps to quickly communicate which specific parts of the country are most at risk of a wildfire breaking out.

Major wildfire outbreaks in Portugal

While there have been no significant wildfires in Portugal this year, the risk remains high. In 2025, over 1,000 wildfires ravaged the north of the country, requiring thousands of firefighters to control the flames and resulting in at least nine fatalities.

If you are travelling and staying in a specific part of Portugal during your holiday, you can find the local emergency and safety procedures put in place in the event of a wildfire outbreak here. Furthermore, a complete breakdown of any severe weather warnings both in Portugal and the surrounding region can be found via the European Meterological Services website here.

BRITS can look forward to basking in glorious 29C sunshine this weekend following days of rain.

Thousands of sun lovers are sure to flock to the seaside and stow out beaches as the mercury rises across the UK.

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The Met Office forecasts a warm start on Saturday morning, with figures as high as 23C by 10am in the capital.

Much of Britain will hover in the mid to late teens, before temperatures climb in the afternoon.

By 4pm, most of the UK will be basking in sunshine between 21C to 28C, with the exception of lows of 16C in the Scottish Highlands.

And, a warm and sticky night can be expected as figures are set to remain high even after the sun goes down.

Sunday kicks off in a similar fashion, with temperatures in the mid 20s expected by 10am.

The forecast then echoes that of Saturday throughout the day.

A heatwave in the UK is met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days, with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature thresholds.

Across the north and west of the UK this is 25C, and across Greater London and the Home Counties, 28C.

However, Brits may have to brace themselves for “thundery showers” on Wednesday.

Before the glorious weather returns, downpours are expected across much of the UK.

Scattered showers are predicted in the north, while those in Wales and the Midlands are forecast a drizzly morning.

Thursday will also bring a mixture of sunny spells and showers across Britain.

Meanwhile, it is predicted to feel breezy this evening, with the best sunsets in the south east of England.

It will remain cloudy through the night, with some rain forecast in the north and west.

The Met Office has also revealed the forecast for Glastonbury – with revellers bracing for a variety of weather conditions.

When the festival opens on June 25, reasonably warm temperatures of around 24C between 1pm and 4pm, can be expected.

This is then predicted to drop off into a cooler evening with temperatures in the high teens.

There is also a 40 per cent chance of rain on Wednesday evening, climbing to 50 per cent between 4am and 7am Thursday morning.

Glastonbury attendees can expect milder weather averaging in the high teens and low twenties.

The milder weather might be offset by wind chill, as gusts are expected to reach around 30mph between 10am and 4pm on Thursday.

It might pay to be prepared with warmer jackets, suncream and hayfever meds -with a high pollen count and UV rating at 1pm Thursday.

As the music begins on Friday, crowds can expect it to be “cloudy changing to sunny intervals by late morning” according to the Met Office.

With Supergrass kicking off the Pyramid stage at 12pm, they’ll be met with temperatures of around 22C, as well as relatively high humidity and wind speeds.

As the music begins on Friday, crowds can expect it to be “cloudy changing to sunny intervals by late morning” according to the Met Office.

With Supergrass kicking off the Pyramid stage at 12pm, they’ll be met with temperatures of around 22C, as well as relatively high humidity and wind speeds.

This follows a stunning weekend to mark the summer solstice on June 22.

Hundreds headed out early last Saturday to watch the sunrise over Stonehenge in celebration.

Those who marked the year’s longest day elsewhere experienced 18C temperatures in Salisbury and Greater London by 5am, according to the Met Office.

The weather agency also confirmed that Yeovilton in Somerset and Crosby in Merseyside had the highest recorded overnight figures in England, both reaching 19.7C by 6am.

The mercury in Cumbria and Lancashire also reached highs above 19C.

The pebbles at Brighton Beach, in East Sussex, could hardly as people soaked up the rays.

Hand held fans were also in demand at Royal Ascot as the hot weather continued on day five of the prestigious event.

One Royal Ascot spectator was even taken to hospital, with 42 others given medical attention on site for heat-related illness.

And, a number of horrified Brits were evacuated after being trapped on a train for two hours with no air con.

Weary passengers have slammed Thamelink after their service from Bedford to Brighton came to a screeching halt on the hottest day of the year so far.

The train broke down between Elephant and Castle, and Loughborough – but ticketholders were left waiting in their carriages during the sweltering heat on Sunday.

There was no air conditioning, and a major evacuation was eventually carried out after several hours.

People were led onto the tracks to fend for themselves, and claimed they were given no instruction on where to go next.

In lighter scenes, one delivery courier could be seen hurling what appeared to be drinks up to passengers stranded on a Thameslink train on a viaduct in south London.

Travellers cheered as the delivery driver chucked the items up with impressive accuracy to parched and agitated customers on board the train.

Incredible footage shows the driver hurling the items up as passengers, sweating in the intense heat, sat on the edge of the train and on the viaduct itself, as the train doors had been opened.

Temperatures hit up to 33.2C in Charlwood, Surrey, making it the hottest day of the year so far, according to the Met Office.

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THE MET Office has issued a fresh warning for thunderstorms this weekend, with up to 50mm of rain expected to fall in just a few hours.

The alert signals the arrival of severe weather, bringing the risk of flooding, hail, and lightning strikes across the UK.

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Brits are urged to be prepared as intense storms are set to hit several regions, sparking concerns of widespread disruption.

The weather warnings will affect several areas, including London, the South East, and the East of England, until 5am Sunday morning.

There is also a follow-up amber warning that continues until 5am on Monday.

The Met Office has highlighted the risk of “fast flowing or deep floodwater” that could endanger lives, with some communities potentially becoming cut off due to flooding.

During the thunderstorms, some parts of the UK could receive up to 50mm of rain in just a few hours.

This will bring major disruption, including road closures, train cancellations, and power outages.

The Met Office also warned of the potential for strong winds, reaching up to 50mph, which could exacerbate the impact of the storms.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin commented that the day would start off “hot and humid,” with some areas of the country potentially seeing temperatures climb as high as 30°C.

However, conditions will soon change, with thunderstorms beginning around 2pm in Wales and the South West, spreading to other areas later in the day.

Parts of southern England, including London, could see temperatures remain as high as 28°C on Friday evening, though the heat will quickly give way to more unsettled weather.

With 30–50mm of rain expected in some areas before the storms ease early on Saturday, residents across Greater London, Plymouth, Bath, Brighton, Norwich, and parts of the South East are advised to remain alert.

Cardiff and other southern regions could experience the heaviest downpours, with some areas possibly receiving up to 80mm of rain.

This level of rainfall is likely to cause significant surface water flooding, making driving conditions dangerous and leading to the risk of accidents.

The situation has already caused significant flooding in parts of the South West, particularly in Plymouth, where local residents battled knee-deep water.

The storms have already resulted in closures, with some roads, such as Gdynia Way and Kings Street, shut down due to flooding.

The Theatre Royal in Plymouth has also closed its doors as a result of flood damage.

James Mackenzie-Blackman, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of TRP, stated: “The torrential rain has required us to close the Theatre Royal today as we continue to deal with a significant flood into our basement.

Our priority is the safety of our staff, our artists, visitors and participants.”

In addition to the potential flooding, strong winds of up to 50mph are expected to cause problems along coasts and hills, further complicating the situation for drivers and emergency services.

Local authorities have advised caution when travelling, particularly in affected areas, as there may be delays and possible cancellations to train and bus services.

The disruption could continue into the weekend, particularly in areas where floodwater lingers.

The Met Office has issued a warning about the increased risk of power cuts, especially in areas where storms bring lightning strikes.

Residents are urged to be prepared for the possibility of service interruptions, with some homes and businesses potentially losing power due to the extreme weather.

This follows Friday’s amber weather warning for thunderstorms, hail, and lightning strikes.

The public is encouraged to monitor the weather closely and take precautions to protect themselves and their property.

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THE UK was battered by 50mph winds and heavy rain last night, as the country braces for wet weather.

Forecasters have warned that it will rain every day next week, in what will be a very wet start to June.

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The news comes after Britain experienced one of its driest Mays on record, with some parts of the country prepping for droughts. 

The North-West and North-East have also experienced their driest starts to the year since 1929, with Brits basking in sweltering 27C heats. 

According to Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell, though, that seasonal abnormality has come to an end.

She said: “Last night’s rain won’t have brought May much closer to average.

“That being said, we still have a week left of May and we expect to see rain every day, so by the end of the month we could be closer to the monthly average.”

Fellow meteorologist Zoe Hatton added that showers will sweep across the country from Sunday onwards.

She said: “Across the north of the countryside of Scotland is likely to be wet and quite miserable initially.

“A band of rain will be moving eastwards overnight lingering in the far north of Scotland. Elsewhere it’s not going to be widely wet.

“There’s going to be low cloud in places which could produce outbreaks of rain across the Pennines and across higher ground in the south of England, but the main focus will really be northern Scotland.

“As the day moves on that band of rain will move eastwards and we’re going to see showers arriving from the west.

“The most likely places affected will be Northern Ireland, Scotland and the north of England, and some quite frequent blustery showers across parts of the country, but drier further south.”

Heavy winds peaked at 50mph in the north of England on Saturday, while temperatures across the country will peak at a meager 15C on Sunday.

Some southern areas, including London, could experience highs of 21C, though, on Wednesday and Thursday.

However, Becky has warned that the warmer weather might not return until the school half-term.

Temperatures will begin to rise after June 2, bringing an end to what is believed will be a very wet week. 

Over the last few months, Britain has experienced a variety of rare weather conditions with meteorologists warning of a tornado on May 21.

One spokesperson said: “It’s not out of the question that we could see a funnel cloud, maybe even a brief tornado across parts of the South East.”

Tornadoes form when hot, humid air collides with cold, dry air.

The cold air heads downwards, while the hot air rises – creating a funnel, which eventually spirals into a tornado. 

Due to the UK’s landscape and normally temperate weather, tornadoes are a rarity in Britain. 

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RAIN is set to fall in just hours in parts of the UK, marking the end of the remarkably dry start to spring, the Met Office has forecast.

Some areas could even see thunder as the skies open up amid the driest start to the season in nearly six decades.

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The Environment Agency has also warned there could be a risk of a drought this summer without sustained rainfall, with millions of households told they may face water restrictions in the coming months.

As of Friday, just 80.6mm of rain has been recorded for the UK this spring – that’s almost 20mm less than the record low of 100.7mm, set in 1852 for the full season.

However, this could change imminently, as the Met Office has warned of showers landing in the north of the UK throughout Monday.

Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk explained showers hit across southern Scotland and northern England overnight on Sunday, with some reaching as far south as Wales.

Heading into Monday morning, there are expected to be “much-welcome” showers across the central belt of Scotland, northern England, and Northern Ireland.

Cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland could be washed out by the rainfall, as could Manchester in the north of England.

Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud added that Monday would see sunny spells in the west develop widely with a “few scattered showers developing across the north during the course of Monday afternoon”.

He added: “One or two of those could be heavy, potentially thundery, but most places are going to be warm and dry.”

However, from Tuesday onwards there could be “an increasing chance of showers across southern areas of the country,” Dan said.

“Then beyond that, Thursday and Friday are likely to become dry, fine and sunny again, with good deals of sunshine for much of the country.”

Conditions in the UK this spring had been “remarkably dry up until now”, Dan explained.

However, as we approach the final week of May, which is also when schools break for half-term, the weather is “looking increasingly changeable, with areas of cloud and rain arriving from the west”.

The Met Office explained the prolonged warm and very dry spell, which has seen Brits enjoy temperatures as high as 29C, was primarily caused by high pressure.

However, by Tuesday, changing conditions could see “occasional heavy and potentially thundery showers developing across parts of Wales and the Midlands, with one or two of those breaching into London“.

Discussing Wednesday’s forecast, Dan said: “It will be a bit of a chilly start across England and Wales with plenty of sunshine to kick the day off.

“But showers will develop across England and Wales, with some of those showers potentially heavy and thundery and breaching into the London area.”