Heat is on as 70F UK puts Rome in the shade
TEMPERATURES are set to reach 21C (70F) tomorrow – hotter than Mediterranean cities – as the chilly start to the week is left behind.
Parts of the South and North Wales are predicted to beat highs of 17C (63F) in Athens and 20C (68F) in Rome.
The welcome burst of spring sunshine comes after widespread frosts last night and on Monday.
But it is not expected to be as warm as Easter weekend when 25.5C (77.9F) was recorded in St James’s Park, central London, on Saturday – the warmest day of the year so far.
Both today and tomorrow are set to be mostly dry and sunny.
Temperatures are expected to reach highs of 18-19C (64-66F) today inland, but only 14-15C (57-59F) around coastal areas.
Porthmadog in Gwynedd is predicted to enjoy the warmest day tomorrow along with parts of the South. A Met Office spokesman said of today: ‘Following a further cold and frosty start another sunny day follows for the majority.’
Tomorrow is set to be the warmest day of the week. The highest temperatures are likely to be in sheltered locations, with figures of 1719C (63-66F) elsewhere.
Experts say the fine and settled weather is being caused by a dominant area of high pressure.
But a weak weather front is set to drift across the country into Friday, bringing showers – and pegging temperatures back.
Forecasters say Friday is likely to see highs of 17C (63F) in the South and 14C (57F) in the North. However,
next week will bring the return of fine weather. The Met Office said: ‘The weather is due to remain mostly fine and dry on Saturday with many places seeing sunny spells once early mist patches clear.
‘It will be generally warm, but cooler in the breeze. Looking further ahead, settled conditions seem likely to continue for much of the country with some good spells of sunshine and dry weather. Temperatures should be above average for most, but there is still the risk of the odd isolated frost in rural areas by night.’ The fine weather means pollen counts will be high today and tomorrow.