This month’s weather will be...

Kent’s amateur weather man, Lester Gosbee, takes a monthly look at what could be in store for us.

APRIL will have an unsettled start, but in the southerly wind between rainy spells, warm sunshine will boost temperatures to 17C (63F) over most areas. The temperatures will be easily the highest of the year so far. Channel facing counties may be a bit cooler because the sea is at its coldest in March/ early April. High pressure will then build and the wind will be back to easterly with a lot of cloud. It will be mostly dry, but there may be a few showers. Inland, the cloud cover will break to give us sunny spells. However, there will be the added risk of frost, so early gardeners take note. This spell will last up to the 12th. Temperatures will be mostly at 8–10C (46–50F), rather chilly Low pressure will return from the 13th, bringing spells of rain, and it will be quite windy from the south west. There will be the odd thundery spell with the possibility of hail and/ or mini-tornadoes. This spell will take us up to 19th. Temperatures will be at 15–19C (59–66F). There will be large fluctuations in the heaviest storms, and there could be a drop in temperature to 15C (59C) in places. A large anti cyclone will build in from the Azores, bringing warm southerly winds from the 20th. It will be a nice time for an early holiday this year. Most places that I forecast for will exceed 20C (68F) for the first time this year. April’s highest day temperature will be: 23C (73F).

The sun in late April is as strong as it is in August, so do not get caught out