Crowds pack beaches on hottest days of year
WALES basked in scorching weather on the weekend and it’s set to continue into this week.
Today is predicted to be even warmer with temperatures pushing 31-33°C.
Cardiff is set to be the warmest place in Wales for the second day in a row after recording temperatures of 29°C yesterday – the hottest day of the year so far. The hottest place in the UK was Hampton Water Works, London, where the mercury peaked at 31.9°C (89.4°F).
People made the most of the amazing weather on the weekend and descended on the beaches like Barry Island in their droves. But for sunbathers on Rothslade Bay, Gower, there was additional drama when a large gorse fire broke out close to the coastal path.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said they had difficulties reaching the fire at first due to its location.
Elsewhere, firefighters rescued two adults and two children from a waterfalls in Resolven. The incident took place at Melincourt Waterfalls on Saturday afternoon with one person taken to Morriston Hospital, Swansea.
Speaking yesterday the Met Office warned there would be high UV and pollen today.
Met Office forecaster Charles Powell said: “We have seen the hottest day of the year so far. Monday will see repeat performances, with a lot of Wales and England seeing dry, sunny, warm, humid weather with high UV, high pollen.
"The sun is as powerful as it can be,” said Mr Powell. I would say we are in the midst of a heatwave.”
Unusual levels of UV are also being recorded in the UK at the moment – with the strength of the UV in some spots being as high as that in Cyprus and Gibraltar.
This has prompted warnings that people should take extra care in the sun.
In the blistering temperatures on Saturday a guardsman collapsed during sweltering conditions at the Queen’s Trooping the Colour ceremony. The soldier fell to the floor during the performance as the Queen and her family watched on at Horse Guards Parade.
While many headed for the beach yesterday, some spent the day a little more actively by taking part in the Caerphilly 10k.
The sun was well in the sky when 2,300 runners of all abilities came from across the country to enjoy the event.
Residents saw the runners battling through the heat and came to their aid – using garden hoses to cool off oparticipants.
On Saturday, the 160th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Wales put on a free Military Festival of Music in Cardiff Bay.
The event followed the Royal Gun Salute fired outside the Pierhead Building to celebrate the Queen’s Official Birthday.
Hundreds of people watched on as feast of musical treats was played out in the Roald Dahl Oval Basin with The Band of the Prince of Wales Division, The Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh and the Army Medical Services Band all in fine form.