Today marked the hottest day of the year in the UK, with temperatures poised to rise even higher as the week progresses, according to the Met Office.
- Advertisement -
The weather service recorded a peak temperature of 24.5°C in St James’s Park, London, superseding the previous high of 24°C noted at Northolt, north London, on April 12th. Meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey remarked, “We are witnessing temperatures pushing towards 25°C in southeast England and London tomorrow, with highs of 27°C anticipated on Wednesday.”
Looking ahead, Vautrey indicated that Thursday could see temperatures soar to around 29°C in regions nestled between London and Bristol. “That corridor between the two cities could well experience some of the most extreme temperatures during this warm spell,” he noted.
These temperatures are significantly above the seasonal averages, which typically hover around 12°C in parts of Scotland and approximately 16°C for southern England at this time of year. However, it seems unlikely that monthly temperature records will be shattered this week; April’s record rests at 29.4°C, while May’s sits at 32.8°C—making Thursday the first day of the new month.
Vautrey commented, “Even if the national record remains unbroken, there may be local areas that experience one of their warmest days in April on record.”
As the UK enters this remarkable warm spell, warnings have been issued regarding heightened pollen and ultraviolet (UV) ray levels. The Met Office advised residents to take necessary precautions when venturing outdoors.
Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon stated, “Two key concerns during this warm period are elevated pollen levels and high UV exposure.” He emphasized that prolonged exposure to UV rays can lead to sunburn and an increased risk of skin cancer.
This month has also seen the UK record just 51% of its average rainfall for April—a figure Claydon described as “well below average.”
The forecast for the upcoming week appears predominantly dry and settled, with high pressure prevailing. Wednesday is expected to be the warmest day, with temperatures climbing into the low to mid-twenties. However, there is a chance of thundery showers later that day.
Additionally, high pressure is also ushering in pleasantly settled conditions for Ireland this week, with temperatures poised to reach up to 22°C tomorrow and potentially hitting the mid-twenties on Wednesday.
A few light showers may occur on Wednesday afternoon, followed by cloudier skies on Thursday.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
