Britain ready to bask in 78F ‘African plume’

BRITAIN is set to bask in the hottest April day for seven years this week as an “African plume” sweeps over the nation, bringing glorious highs of 78F (26C). By Thursday, Mediterranean and Spanish winds will be pushing over the UK, bringing with them the much warmer air which forms the plume.

Frustration

Parts of the country are tipped to be hotter than Bondi Beach and Malibu after rain and snow ruined the Easter break for many.

The beginning of a 1,500-mile wide front of hot air originating in North Africa arrived, yesterday bringing warmer temperatures that will increase throughout the week.

According to Craig Snell from the Met Office, temperatures could reach 75F and further today and tomorrow with the warmest weather in north-west London and in the Midlands.

“Low pressure to the west and high pressure to the east means we’re importing warmer air as we go into next week,” he explained.

“Next week looks promising if you want warmer weather. It looks pretty dry for most of the working week in England and Wales.”

Highs above 78F would be Britain’s hottest April day for seven years, according to Met Office records.

A temperature of 82F on April 23, 2011, was the month’s highest for 62 years.

However, the first taste of summer after a long winter comes too late for schoolchildren.

And some of their parents took to Twitter yesterday in frustration.

Benji Price said: “Two weeks off with poor weather and then it’s glorious sunshine on the first day back.”