The Gosport Weather Station recorded highs of 26.C in the area yesterday, beating the previous high for 2020 of 23.2C recorded on May 9.
People headed down to the beach to make the most of the warm weather on Thursday.
Pictures taken by The News show busy scenes in Southsea and at the Hot Walls, but in the pictures people do appear to be following social distancing guidelines.
See all the pictures here.
1. Hottest day of the year
People flocked to Southsea seafront on Thursday, May 21 - the hottest day of the year. Picture: Sarah Standing (210520-2498) | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Sarah Standing
2. Hottest day of the year
People flocked to Southsea seafront on Thursday, May 21 - the hottest day of the year. Picture: Sarah Standing (210520-2502) | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Sarah Standing
3. Hottest day of the year
People flocked to the Hot Walls in Old Portsmouth on Thursday, May 21 - the hottest day of the year. Picture: Sarah Standing (210520-2433) | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Sarah Standing
4. Hottest day of the year
People flocked to the seafront on Thursday, May 21 - the hottest day of the year. Picture: Sarah Standing (210520-2429) | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Sarah Standing