Weather warming
A SPELL of “home-grown” warmth will leave the country sizzling on May’s last bank holiday, while temperatures will be as high as 25C today.
Most parts of England andWales will enjoy 23C heat on Monday, making it hotter than southern Spain – with little or no rain likely.
But forecasters have dismissed any claims that an “African plume” is on its way, insisting a heatwave – sustained 25C-28C for three days – will not occur this month.
Met Office expert Aidan McGivern said: “High pressure is in charge and will continue to be the key feature, bringing plenty of sunny skies.
“The South West will have the highest temperatures with 23C or 24C – I wouldn’t rule out 25C – making it the warmest day of the year so far.
“But it’s home-grown warmth rather than imported heat. There’s no African plume, whatever that is.”
Neil Armstrong, the Met Office’s chief forecaster, said reports of a baking hot weather front from southern Europe or Africa were “not true”.
However, he added: “If you are looking forward to a spell of largely fine, sunny and warm conditions across the majority of the UK, then you are going to be in luck.”
The good weather is due to continue for the whole weekend, with mercury measurements hanging around the low 20s – while Saturday is expected to be the warmest of the three days.
But it will stay settled, dry, warm and sunny into next week as well, with slightly above-average temperatures forecast for the end of spring and the beginning of June, experts say.
The beach at Bournemouth, Dorset, attracted many paddlers yesterday, while sun-drenched shrubs at the Chelsea Flower Show in London may have needed a little extra watering.