The great North- South divide: divine in Dorset, murky in Manchester
BRITAIN’S army of sunseekers could yesterday be forgiven for grumbling: ‘It’s grim up North.’
While the South basked in temperatures ten degrees hotter than Mexico City, those on the other side of our Isles were facing rain and wind.
The mercury reached 28C in the South and motorways leading to the beaches were likened to a ‘cross between a caravan and a boat show’.
Holidaymakers flocked towards Cornwall and Devon while there were long delays southbound on the M5 from Gloucestershire into Somerset.
Thousands settled down on the beaches to enjoy the heatwave, which coincided perfectly with the start of the long school holiday. However, further north t here was less to smile about, including for England’s cricketers at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Rain stopped play without a ball being bowled on the third day of the second Test against the West Indies.
The region saw lows of 17C, with patches of heavy cloud to the west of the Pennines and in North Wales.
So far, July has not lived up to its promise, with the Met Office saying Britain had experienced just 55 hours of sunshine in the first half of the month.
The average for the entire month is usually 172 hours.
Temperatures around the country are expected to dip slightly today, peaking at 27C and returning to the month’s 22C average by the start of next week. But those taking a staycation later this month will be thrilled to hear that sizzling weather is forecast from the middle of next week.
A large plume of hot air should sweep across Europe towards the UK – and it is set to stay.
That may be why some bookies make it odds-on for this month to be the hottest July on record despite the rough start.
Others made the most of the pubs being open again as they packed out beer gardens across the capital. It is hoped that the sunny weather will give the economy a boost with a rush to independent cafes and shops.
Supermarkets were expecting a stampede for barbecue items and picnic goods. It is the first time this month that temperatures have reached the high 20s.