Spring has sprung as sun beams on Wales
WARM and sunny weather has finally arrived in Wales with temperatures expected to reach up to 22°C in Cardiff this weekend.
Even though many early risers woke up to a rather cloudy morning yesterday, the Met Office claims temperatures could reach beyond the 20°C mark this week.
Yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far in the UK.
Gravesend in Kent and St James’s Park in London both recorded the highest temperature, of 24.8C, in the afternoon.
Across the rest of the south east, the average temperature was 24C – the same as sunny Madrid.
Rome and Athens, in comparison, were 22C.
The temperatures are around 10°C higher than the UK average for the time of year.
A spokesman for the Met Office said: “There will be a few days where the temperatures will get quite a bit warmer.
“On Thursday we will see more warm weather.”
The weather is predicted to be warm and sunny today with breezier spells expected around the coast.
Highs of around 20°C are predicted in parts of the country, but the weather is thought to be cloudier in the far west with mist and fog expected around coastal areas.
The spokesman added: “On Friday temperatures could reach up to 21°C – it could even reach up to 22°C towards Cardiff.
“The south east of the UK could see temperatures of up to 25°C over the next few days, but Wales will still get some decent warm weather.
“People will see the warmest weather on Saturday and temperatures are expected to reach around 22°C to 23°C.
“People are most likely to see these temperatures in the south east of the country.”
The Valleys are looking to experience a particularly bright spell over the next few days, with temperatures expected to reach up to 19°C between today and Saturday in Merthyr Tydfil.
Carmarthen is also expected to see temperatures reach as high over the weekend, with Swansea thought to be slightly cooler, having been predicted to see temperature highs of up to 17°C over the next few days.
BBC weatherman Derek Brockway said Wales is set to see a spell of good weather.
Yesterday he tweeted: “Waking up to grey clouds and drizzle this morning? Don’t worry!
“The sun is on its way Sunny this afternoon and evening. Today the warmest day of the year so far in Wales with a S-SE breeze.
“22°C in places , high tree pollen and the sun is as strong now as in August.”
But unfortunately it looks like the sun could disappear as the weekend continues, with heavy showers expected to appear.
From Saturday evening into Sunday, parts of Wales will see the weather turn more unsettled with a risk of heavy and thundery showers being forecast for parts of the country.
A spokesman for the Met Office said: “Showers are expected to appear in places from later Saturday.
“These will move through to Sunday and temperatures are expected to reach highs of between 15°C and 16°C.”