UK to bake in 26C spring sizzler with seashores and beer gardens packed out
Britain will bake in a 26C spring sizzler – with forecasters tipping it to be the hottest day of the year so far. The balmy blast will see almost all of the UK bask in highs usually seen in June – giving a taste of summer weeks ahead of schedule.
Beer gardens and beaches will be rammed as sun-starved folk make the most of the most of it after Storm Dave caused havoc over the Easter weekend.
The Met Office’s chief forecaster Paul Gundersen said: “We’re seeing a brief but notable spell of very warm weather for early April, with temperatures more typically associated with late spring or early summer. This could be the warmest spell at this point in April since 2020, a year many will remember because of the Covid‑19 lockdown.”
Temperatures could reach 26C on Wednesday, which is “well above” the early April average of 12C to 15C.
Met Office chief forecaster Paul Gundersen said: “We’re seeing a brief but notable spell of very warm weather for early April, with temperatures more typically associated with late spring or early summer. This could be the warmest spell at this point in April since 2020, a year many will remember because of the Covid19 lockdown.
“However, this warmth will be short-lived, with a marked drop in temperatures and more unsettled conditions developing later this week. In some areas, daytime temperatures could fall by around 10C between Wednesday and Thursday.”
Highs in the low to mid-20s are expected across most of England and Wales. But the scorcher won’t hang around for long. The mercury is set to plunge by as much as 10C by Thursday as cooler, more unsettled conditions sweep in.
Britain’s hottest April day on record stands at 29.4°C, set in Camden Square, London, on April 16, 1949. At the other end of the scale, a bitter -15.9°C was recorded at Newton Rigg, Cumbria, on April 2, 1917.
But while sunseekers celebrate, hay fever sufferers are braced for misery as the sudden heat sparks a surge in pollen. The Met Office has warned of “very high” levels across much of England and Wales, with Scotland and Northern Ireland also seeing “high” counts before they ease later in the week.
Webcams showed crowds sunbathing at Lyme Regis beach in Dorset on Tuesday (April 7) as seaside towns welcomed visitors. Brighton and Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey said: “There really is no place like Brighton when the sun is shining and we’re definitely seeing people keen to take advantage of the sunshine – not just on the beach itself, but also visiting our brilliant seafront cafes and bars, or enjoying a walk along the prom.
“Our new seafront park in Hove has been incredibly busy as well, with families making the most of the school holidays at our skatepark. We’re officially the sunniest city in England and we know how to have fun when the sun it out.”
A spokesperson for Weymouth Town Council said: “It’s been wonderful to see so many people choosing to enjoy the sun on Weymouth beach and we’re looking forward to welcoming more visitors to our town, so they can enjoy all the fun our resort has to offer. Roll on summer!”
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