You may have noticed it's turned a touch warmer. That's because Norfolk's been one of the hottest parts of the UK for the last couple of days.

A temperature of 26C (78.8F) recorded by the weather station at the RAF base was the highest in the country on Wednesday.

It was a day of contrasts, as Wattisham, in Suffolk clocked up the most sunshine, with 2.2hrs, while Wittering, near Peterborough, had the most rain, with 5.2mm falling.

Yesterday, parts of Norfolk reached more than 22C (71.6F), with Marham recording a maximum of 22.9C (73.2F), while Weybourne on the coast came close with 22.4C (72.3F).

Both were pipped by Donna Nook, across The Wash on the Lincolnshire coastline, where the mercury rose to 23.7C (74.6F). Forecasters reckon it's set to get even hotter over the weekend.

Dan Holley, from Norwich-based Weatherquest, said: 'Marham got up to 26C (78.8F) yesterday and today got up to 23C (73.4C). It was so hot on Wednesday because we had a lot of hazy sunshine in the morning and the air was warm and humid which helps the temperatures to rise quickly. Today the air was very dry so the temperature worked its way up slowly.

'Santon Downham could reach 30C (86F) in the next couple of days because of the sandy soil there. Across the country tomorrow, it will start quite cloudy with showery rain which should clear by lunchtime and leave us with hazy sunshine in the afternoon. It will feel really warm in the afternoon – perhaps up to 26C (78.8F) on the south of the county.

'The weekend looks dry with lots of sunshine. Santon Downham could reach 30C (86F). There will be a sea breeze developing so it will be cooler on the coast. The sun will be just as strong on the coast so suncream will be needed all weekend.'

RAF stations like Marham, Benson in Oxfordshire and St Athan in Wales are frequently among Britain's hotspots.

This is not down to some quirk in the weather. It's because most air bases still have a weather station.