PLAY STOPS RAIN
End of storms as 18-21C spring days start today
CYCLISTS brave the snow as they head for the hills from the Hope Valley in Derbyshire yesterday.
Further north, in York, a pub was left flooded after a river burst its banks. A member of staff from the King’s Arms was forced to leap across the water. Roads, homes and businesses in the area around the River Ouse in the city were inundated. BRITAIN is set to bask in spring sunshine from today after being battered by the Beast From The West.
A Polar vortex saw a 500-mile-wide storm bring snow, ice and floods over the weekend across the country – with a month’s rain falling in 24 hours.
But the showers are set to ease today with sunny spells in the south and a mix of wet and dry days ahead in the north.
Temperatures are set to soar to 18C on Thursday and could even rise to 21C next week.
Met Office forecaster Martin Bowles said: “High pressure builds and temperatures increase.
“The south and east of the
UK will be mainly dry with warm sunny spells.
“The north and west will be cloudier with some rain.”
Dozens of flood warnings were in place across the Midlands and the north of England yesterday.
The Environment Agency said it installed temporary flood barriers in parts of the Midlands to protect it from the rising River Severn.
Among the worst affected areas was York, where the River Ouse flooded roads and property.
It comes as 34,000 breakdown call-outs were expected today due to the flooded roads and icy road conditions from the weekend.
The RAC warned of a “spike” in accidents and flat car batteries.
Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: “Up to 18C is expected after the weekend in Scotland. There are similarities with February’s switch from snow to heat.
“We’re more used to the Beast From The East – but a Beast From The West saw St Patrick’s weekend see whiteouts and washouts.”
Former BBC forecaster John Hammond added: “After a wild wintry week, the calm after the storms will see spring re-emerge.
“Little rain is expected, with most parts feeling pleasant in the strengthening sun and higher temperatures ahead.”
In Bodmin, Cornwall, the newly opened £8million police station was closed after gale force winds damaged the roof.
The roof had become insecure and officers had to relocate to Wadebridge and told the public to stay away.