Essex is set to bask in temperatures above 23C this week, as the county will be hotter than Ibiza. The county will experience wall-to-wall sunshine on Wednesday (April 30), with temperatures peaking at 23C and on Thursday at 26C in some areas.

There will also be widespread sunshine, with only the northern parts of Scotland expected to see some rain. During the night, temperatures will drop to at least the low teens, so “we shouldn’t suffer too much with warm nights”, Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said.

While much of Essex will be basking in warmer weather and plenty of sunshine this week, top European holiday destination Ibiza is much cooler, with highs of only 19C and more cloud cover.

Read more: Essex mental health deaths inquiry to confront 'difficult questions head on' over 2,000 deaths

Read more: Second World War veteran 'saved many lives' before dying in Essex mental health services' care

Mr Snell added: “We’re certainly on track to see the warmest spell of the year so far.” Below is a rundown of the forecast in various Essex locations for Wednesday, April 30, and Thursday, May 1, accurate to the time of writing.

Harlow - Wall to wall sunshine on both Wednesday and Thursday, with the days starting at around 9C at 7am before progressing up to 23- 24C on Wednesday afternoon from 1pm to 4pm. The same forecast for Thursday, but with highs of 25-26C by 4pm.

Saffron Walden - Identical forecast to Harlow, with highs of 24C on Wednesday afternoon and up to 26C on Thursday, with no cloud cover on either day.

Braintree - Whilst very similar to Harlow, things will be slightly cooler in Braintree, with no cloud cover both days and highs of 23C on Wednesday afternoon and 25C on Thursday.

Colchester - Identical to Braintree, no clouds forecast and highs of 23C on Wednesday and 25C on Thursday, thought slightly cooler in the evenings at 7-9C.

Clacton - Slightly cooler than the rest of the county owing to the seafront location, there will nevertheless be no clouds across both days, with highs of 21C on Wednesday and 23C on Thursday afternoon. It will remain warmer in the evenings at 12-13C.

Maldon - Very similar to Colchester, with highs of 22C on Wednesday and 25C on Thursday, with no cloud cover either days. Remaining mild in the evenings with 10-12C.

Southend - Starting both days at 10C with it going up to highs of 22C in the afternoon of Wednesday and then 24C on Thursday, neither days with any cloud cover.

Basildon - Very similar to the rest of the county, no cloud cover both days, starting at around 9C in the mornings and going as high as 23C on Wednesday and 25C on Thursday afternoon.

Brentwood - One of the warmest parts of the county with temperatures reaching 24C and then 26C on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, with no clouds and minimal winds.

Thurrock - Very similar to Brentwood though slightly cooler on Wednesday with highs of 22C, and then going up to 26C on Thursday.

Chelmsford - Sunny all day, no clouds either days and highs of 23C on Wednesday, with it going up to 26C on Thursday.