TODAY could be perfect for punting, suitable for shorts and ideal for icecream.

Warm weather hit Oxford yesterday but temperatures could rise today, making it the hottest day of the year so far.

A glorious afternoon is expected across the county today with temperatures higher than parts of Italy and Greece.

Peak temperatures of 21C are likely to hit between 2pm and 4pm.

At 1pm, there will be an ultraviolet index of 4 - a moderate risk from unprotected sun exposure - which comes with a warning to take precautions.

It doesn’t look like the sun is here to stay just yet, though.

It won’t be as hot for the rest of the week, with highs of 16C tomorrow and a cloudy day on the horizon.

By Friday and Saturday, temperatures will be back down to around 13C for a mild end to the week.

According to the Oxford Radcliffe Meteorological station, 2014 was the warmest year in the city since 1815.

Observers at the weather station at Green Templeton College recorded an average temperature of 11.5C, 1.8 degrees higher than the 200-year average of 9.7C.