Anna Behrmann | The Times

The sun rises on Cobb harbour in Lyme Regis, Dorset, at the start of a record-breaking Easter SundayCelia McMahon/Alamy

Temperatures are expected to exceed the record for an Easter Monday as hundreds of thousands of people head to the beach, but thunderstorms are expected later in the week.

The Met Office predict highs of 26C degrees, beating the record of 24 degrees set in Hampshire in 2011. Yesterday parts of the country reached 26C, compared with 16C in Spain and heavy rain elsewhere in southern Europe. Lisbon in Portugal is expected to be 20C and breezy tomorrow and Corfu will be a little chillier but calm.

The combination of high UV rays and little cloud cover poses a big risk of sunburn. The pollen count will also be high, increasing the risk for people with hayfever.

Crowds fill West Wittering beach in West SussexJames Jagger/Stockimo/Alamy

Forecasters said that Tuesday would be warm and…