Britain to bask in more sunshine after record warm winter weather
Britain will bask in more warm weather on Tuesday as forecasters predict temperatures could come close to beating Monday’s record-breaking high.
The mercury topped 20C in several parts of the country on Monday – the warmest winter day since records began.
Trawsgoed in Ceredigion, west Wales, experienced the highest temperature of 20.6C (68.5F), while 20.4C (68.4F) was recorded in Northolt, west London, and 20.1C (68.2F) in Gogerddan, west Wales.
The previous winter record was 19.7C (67.5F) at Greenwich, east London, in 1998.
On Monday night, Luke Miall, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said Tuesday could be just as warm.
“We could well again see similar values,” he said. “Whether it will be record-breaking again, we’re not quite sure, but I think it could be quite close.”
The day will likely start with some light frost and fog before the temperatures rise to highs of about 19 or 20 degrees.
North-west Wales and London are most likely to feel the highest temperatures.
The warmth follows last February’s Beast from the East, which plunged temperatures below freezing and brought heavy snowfall across the country.
Cooler temperatures expected from Wednesday onwards will be “still above average” for February, Mr Miall said.
Heavy showers are possible on Thursday as temperatures struggle to get above 11C (51.8F) or 12C (53.6F).
Friday, March 1, will mark the first day of meteorological spring and is expected to be mostly dry before a wet weekend.
Mr Miall added: “The weekend doesn’t look great, it’s looking wet and windy across the country.
“There’s lots of uncertainty over the details because it’s still a long way off but wet and windy seems to be the theme through many areas.”
Monday’s record highs were likened to a “climate breakdown” by Green MP Caroline Lucas.
Mr Miall said: “This kind of event is what climate change would expect but we can’t directly relate it to climate change.”