Britain is set to be hotter than Greece as the Met Office forecasts temperatures soaring as high as 20C this week in a sudden shift in weather conditions. According to the forecaster, parts of the UK are likely to experience sweltering heat on Wednesday (March 18), while weather maps show Greece will see a mix of mild and cold weather.

WXCharts weather maps, which are prepared using the MetDesk data, shows that parts of Greece will experience temperatures hovering around 17C and 18C. However, according to the weather charts, the temperature levels in Greece will even plunge to as low as a chilly 2C, indicating the possibility of unsettled conditions across the popular European holiday destination. Dan Harris, Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, said: "Wednesday looks likely to be the warmest day of the week for many, with high pressure dominant.

"The warmest spots are likely to be in parts of west Wales and western England, where under sunny skies, 18-19C, possibly even 20C is on the cards.

"This is due to the additional boost expected from the passage of east to south-easterly winds over areas of higher ground, known as the Foehn effect."

Netweather.tv forecaster wrote in her weather blog: "The warm plume of air from Spain will linger for Wales, southwest and central England and temperatures will be around 14C to 16C but could move into the high teens with more sunshine.

"Bristol could see 20C on Wednesday and will have a lovely day."

For Wednesday, the Met Office has forecast a "dry, warm and mostly sunny day" for England and Wales. Northern Scotland "looks bright", although the rest of Scotland and Northern Ireland will stay cloudier with patchy rain.

The Met Office's outlook for Thursday until Sunday says: "Some cloud in the north and northeast on Thursday, otherwise largely sunny.

"Feeling warm in gentle winds. Patchy rain in the far northwest thereafter. Staying fine elsewhere, but cooler overall."