article_snippet: Brits basked in the sunshine on the warmest day of the year today with temperatures soaring to 17.5C in parts of the UK.
article_snippet: With the weather warmer than Mediterranean hotspots such as Rome and Athens, people up and down Britain flocked to parks, beaches and beer gardens to welcome in the beginning of spring.
article_snippet: Temperatures in eastern Scotland, London and south east England England were around five degrees warmer than average, however western Scotland was hit by rain.
article_snippet: The previous record this year was set in Exeter on January 9 when temperatures reached 16.5C. Craig Snell, forecaster at the Met Office, said: 'It has been very pleasant day for many parts of the UK. '
article_snippet: Most of Britain has seen the warmest day of this year with the exception of western Scotland, where it has been quite wet. '
article_snippet: Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill had earlier said that there was a '50 per cent' chance Britain would experience the hottest day of the year.
article_snippet: Temperatures in London and south east England are the warmest of Britain today, forecasters say.
article_snippet: Temperatures are expected to peak this afternoon before a colder spell moves across Britain tomorrow.
highlights_snippet: Forecasters say there is a '50 per cent chance' today's mild weather will set warmest day of the year benchmark .
  
highlights_snippet: Temperatures in eastern Scotland, London and south east England are almost five degrees warmer than average .
  
highlights_snippet: Much of the country basked in sunshine today as spring arrived, bringing with it mild temperatures and bright spells .