Hooray, soggy spring is finally warming up
AFTEr seemingly endless weeks of rain and cold, cheering news at last – today is set to be the warmest day of the year so far.
But keep your brolly handy, because the rain looks likely to return for the weekend.
Yesterday, much of the country basked in a welcome day of sunshine.
And a second day of sunny weather is forecast for the South and East today, when temperatures could reach at least 17C (63F).
The highest temperature of the year so far was 16.6C (61.9F), at Colwyn Bay, North Wales, on March 10.
Today’s weather is due to southerly winds bringing Mediterranean air northwards.
It is likely to make parts of the country as warm as Barcelona, and almost as warm as the French riviera, where 18C (64F) is predicted in Nice.
Met Office spokesman grahame Madge said: ‘The sunny weather, which was enjoyed by most areas yesterday and is likely to continue today in the South and East, is due to a ridge of high pressure bringing southerly winds.
‘The highest temperatures of 17C are expected in West London, and there is a chance it could be even higher.
‘Kent and East Anglia are likely to remain clear right the way through until tea time, if not dusk.’ But Mr Madge said a cold front will also be arriving in the North and West today, which is set to eventually move South and East in the evening and into tomorrow.
‘It will bring rain, mostly for West Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and South West England by late morning or lunchtime,’ he added.
Most of the rain may have fallen before the front moves elsewhere across the country.
But it will bring cloud and reduce temperatures for the weekend, making it closer to the average for early April of just under 12C ( 54F). Mr Madge said ‘most places’ will experience rain at some stage tomorrow as another weather front crosses the country, followed by showers.
The Jersey royal season is at least three weeks late after the Beast from the East hit planting. The potato’s seasonal window is usually from April to mid- July. Jersey normally exports 30,000 tons of the potatoes to the UK each year.