Warmer than the south of France... UK set to bask in 73F sunshine
BRITAIN is about to bake in the hottest weekend of the year so far with temperatures set to hit 73F (23C).
The warm weather will show no signs of cooling, with sunshine and blue skies forecast for days ahead.
Fine, dry and warm weather will hold out into next week as Britain turns hotter than Mallorca in Spain and Nice in the south of France.
The good weather comes after March was declared officially one of the mildest since records began in many places.
The Met Office said most of the country will enjoy summerlike conditions although northern Scotland will turn cooler.
Balmy
Spokesman Grahame Madge said: “High pressure is going to be in charge for the next few days and into the weekend when it is looking very warm especially in the South-east where we could see 73F.
“High pressure will gradually slip eastwards and this will allow a warm front to straddle Britain so there will be some cloud around although there will be plenty of breaks bringing quite prolonged periods of sunshine.”
The balmy forecasts have seen bookmaker Coral slash the odds on Easter being the hottest on record from 4-1 to 2-1 with 6-4 from 2-1 on the warmest April ever.
Spokesman John Hill said: “The mild start to April has prompted a gamble on this Easter being the hottest on record, leaving the bookmakers sweating over a huge pay-out next week if temperatures continue to rise.
“The latest betting suggests 2017 is set to eclipse the hottest year on record which was set in 2016 as we are now odds-on following the latest price change.”
Temperatures in the coming days will be well above average for the time of year. Highs of between 55F and 63F are forecast in the South by the end of the week with 46F to 55F likely further north.
Race goers are promised fine weather for this year’s Grand National meeting which runs from today until Saturday at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool.
Accuweather forecaster Eric Leister said: “Tranquil weather is expected later this week across the United Kingdom, bringing warm and dry conditions for the 2017 Grand National Festival in Liverpool.
“Mild weather will prevail with increasing temperatures each day.”
The unusually warm March was best enjoyed in the South.
East Anglia saw an average temperature of 48F while south-east, central and southern England recorded 49F.
The month ended on a scorcher with 72F recorded in Gravesend, Kent – the third time 72F or above has been measured in March since the record heat of 1968.