Why this is one of warmest places in UK

GEOGRAPHY’S ROLE IN TOWN RECORDING UK’S RECORD TEMPERATURES

NORTH Wales has enjoyed some amazing weather over the past fortnight, but one town in particular has been hotter than anywhere else in the UK.

Twice last week, Porthmadog has recorded the UK’s peak temperature for 2023.

The Gwynedd town recorded the highest temperature on Tuesday since September 12, 2022 with the mercury reaching 25.1C.

Temperatures had also peaked in the town the previous day with a high of 24.8C recorded in the afternoon.

This is by no means a first for Porthmadog, which is regularly Wales’ and sometimes the UK’s warmest spot.

Despite being a coastal town, where temperatures are typically lower, Porthmadog’s geography is the reason for the consistently high temperatures.

Met Office meteorologist Mark Wilson said: “With the wind coming from the north east Porthmadog is getting a lot of shelter.

“Although it’s by the coast it’s not really getting a lot of breeze off the sea meaning the temperatures keep rising and rising.

“If the breeze does pick up you can expect to see the temperatures fall.

“But thanks to its geographical location Porthmadog has seen high temperatures all week.

“Its shelter from high ground, hills and mountains, around it mean it’s protected from the north easterly wind.”

Mark said there are around 20 to 30 weather stations across Wales that record temperatures.

The temperatures are higher than typical, with the average June high in the town around 18 degrees C according to the

National Centers for Environmental Information.

BBC weatherman Derek Brockway has also said in the past that air flowing over the mountains then sinks and warms, boosting the temperature in the town.