Northern Ireland hit a sizzling 27C yesterday, hotter than Barcelona - our highest temperature of the year, in a stunning burst of September sun

Northern Ireland hit a sweltering 27C degrees yesterday in what was the warmest day in the Province throughout this summer so far.

• Ben Lowry: The gloom of September is briefly banished by this stunning weather

As of 7.30pm, the top temperature in Northern Ireland was recorded at a hot 27.2C at Killowen in southern Co Down, near Rostrevor.

In second was Thomastown, Co Fermanagh at 25.7C, with Portglenone in third at 25.1C.

Whilst it was 27C yesterday in NI, it is forecast to be only 25C tomorrow in Barcelona.

Meanwhile, the warm conditions are set to continue as Northern Ireland is basking in a “sweet spot” of weather, making it arguably the best place in the UK to be today. The south of England, which is typically far hotter than NI at this time of year, has been having a wet spell.

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said today will be “another bright and fine day; early cloud, but that'll soon burn off” and warned that people should “enjoy it while you can”.

He added: “Winds will probably be a bit higher than Friday, and you're looking at highs probably about 23C.

"Then the outlook is going to get cloudier and cool on Sunday – though mainly dry.

"Sunny spells on Monday, but then they're signalling there'll be rain. But, to be honest, it's a pretty good weekend – and probably one of the better places in the UK this weekend.

"In Northern Ireland you're far enough west to avoid the cloud in the east and the system in the south bringing heavy rain. You're in a sweet spot.”

He expects that later in the week “temperatures will come down”.

What about further ahead? Will we get a burst of warmer weather later in the month?

"I'm not seeing those signals,” he said.

"To be honest at this range, you're looking at subtle cues and signals. The weather doesn't allow us to be definitive!”

His message concerning this latest burst of sun?

“Make sure you enjoy it while you can.”

As previously reported, Northern Ireland as a whole had a pretty dismal August. It saw an average of 29% more rain in August than usual – rising to 48% more in Tyrone and Fermanagh.

However, the Met Office says for summer as a whole, Northern Ireland actually got 1% less rainfall than usual – though the number of days on which it rained was actually up slightly.