How long sunshine will last in Preston as 'hottest day of the year' arrives - Met Office weather forecast

Preston will be hotter than Paris and Athens today (March 18), on what is expected to be the warmest day of the year so far.

The hottest day of 2026 was recorded on March 6, when temperatures reached 19.2°C in London. But, according to the Met Office’s latest forecast, 20°C is ‘on the cards’ in some parts of the country today.

Join our new WhatsApp Community to get the latest news and top stories from across Lancashire.

Sign up for our Lancashire Post newsletter - it’s fun, It's free, it’s the LEP.

France’s capital city can expect temperatures of up to 17°C and Athens will reach 14°C, while Preston is expected to see 19°C heat this afternoon.

Sunshine is expected in Preston throughout the day and much of this week, with warm temperatures and pleasant conditions continuing into the weekend. See this week’s full weather forecast below.

Met Office hour-by-hour forecast for Preston today (March 18)

• 9.00am: Sunshine. 11°C.
• 10.00am: Sunshine. 13°C.
• 11.00am: Sunshine. 15°C.
• 12.00pm: Sunshine. 16°C.
• 1.00pm: Sunshine. 17°C.
• 2.00pm: Sunshine. 18°C.
• 3.00pm: Sunshine. 19°C.
• 4.00pm: Sunshine. 18°C.
• 5.00pm: Sunshine. 17°C.
• 6.00pm: Clear night. 14°C.
• 7.00pm: Clear night. 13°C.
• 8.00pm: Clear night. 12°C.
• 9.00pm: Clear night. 11°C.
• 10.00pm: Clear night. 11°C.
• 11.00pm: Clear night. 10°C.

Seven-day Met Office weather forecast for Preston

• Wednesday, March 18: Sunshine. High of 19°C.
• Thursday, March 19: Sunshine. High of 17°C.
• Friday, March 20: Sunshine. High of 16°C.
• Saturday, March 21: Sunshine. High of 15°C.
• Sunday, March 22: Sunny intervals. High of 13°C.
• Monday, March 23: Cloudy. High of 10°C.
• Tuesday, March 24: Cloudy. High of 11°C.