On the way ... 25C heat from Africa
At last.. April sun set to make Britain hotter than California
A BLAST of scorching air out of Africa is likely to make temperatures soar and records fall.
Months of rain and gloom are predicted to end with Britain set to be hotter than California.
And dry, sunny weather for most of the country is likely to stay until the end of the month.
Yesterday was the hottest day of the year with highs of 19.5C in Northolt, North West London.
And the sun looked magnificent rising behind Roker lighthouse at the entrance to Sunderland harbour.
Some areas experienced showers and slightly lower temperatures but spring will be back on track today with the arrival of the hot African air.
High pressure is likely to lift temperatures into the early 20s from tomorrow.
The South may be basking in 27C by Thursday, according to The Weather Outlook. While Leeds and Birmingham are predicted to hit 21C, the same as sunny Los Angeles. Manchester will reach 20C. Cardiff will be bright and sunny all week but temperatures are not expected to top 18C. Some spring showers are likely but temperatures are expected to be above average for the rest of April. There are even suggestions the hot air may break records. The warmest UK April day was 29.4C recorded in 1949, in Camden Square, North West London.
Met Office forecaster Charlie Powell said: “It will feel summery for parts of Britain and we’ll be hotter than loads of places including Athens, Rome and lots of holiday destinations.
“Air will come in from the Mediterranean over the continent, and from north Africa.”
Guy Barter, of The Royal Horticultural Society, said: “Usually spring begins in March and lasts until mid-May, so this shorter, condensed spring will create magnificent displays in our gardens, public spaces and roadsides across the UK as everything flowers at once.”
WE have had more false starts this year than a twitchy 100m runner forever jumping the starting gun.
But really, probably, possibly, the muchdelayed spring is about to arrive. We hope...