In Pictures: What a difference a year makes as Britain basks in warm weather

  • Video report by ITV News Correspondent Rupert Evelyn

February 2019 has been the hottest on record, as temperatures edged towards 21C (69.8F).

Parts of Britain on Tuesday were hotter than a series of popular holiday destinations, beating Malibu, Athens and Barcelona.

Porthmadog, Gwynedd in west Wales recorded the UK's top temperature of 20.8C (69.4F), the Met Office said.

Meanwhile in England's capital, 20.7C (69.2F) was recorded in Teddington, south west London.

The previous winter record of 19.7C was set in Greenwich in 1998.

The warmer weather is in stark contrast to last February's chill brought on by the Beast from the East. Temperatures plunged below freezing and brought heavy snowfall disrupted transport services across much of the country.

ITV News' Rupert Evelyn was in south Wales during the worst of the storm. He faced deep snowdrifts as wind combined with heavy snowfall.

What a difference a year makes!

  • Windsor

At Windsor Castle, people were pictured strolling along the Long Walk in t-shirts as warm weather on Monday afternoon.

A year ago, the scene was a much frostier one.

Windsor Castle looked very different in February 2018. Credit: PA

February 26th 2018: lows of -4C as Beast from the East strikesFebruary 26th 2019: highs of 19C with sunshine and a light breeze

A couple enjoy the sunshine as they stroll along the Long Walk near Windsor Castle, Berkshire on Monday Credit: PA

  • Whitley Bay

Whitley Bay was battered by a snow storm in the final week of February 2018, the town's lighthouse was pictured with the freezing weather approaching.

This year has brought much more pleasant weather.

A beautiful sunset was captured on Monday evening, following a day which was 18C warmer than the same time last year.

A snowstorm fell over Whitley Bay this time last year. Credit: PA

February 26th 2018: lows of -2c recorded in the coastal townFebruary 26th 2019: highs of 16c with sunshine and a light breeze

The weather has been much more pleasant this year, with 16C expected. Credit: PA

  • Northumberland

In Northumberland, beach-goers have been basking in the sun as warmer weather reaches the north-east of England.

The scene this time last year was significantly different. Beach huts at Blyth were pictured covered in snow as the Beast from the East swept across the United Kingdom.

Lunch in the sun at Blyth in Northumberland on Monday. Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA

February 26 2018: -2C was recorded in the seaside townFebruary 26 2019: 14C and sunshine can be expected

Blyth Beach in Northumberland on February 27 last year looked a lot chillier . Credit: PA

  • Central London

Central London wasn't immune to last year's icy blast. Snow fell across much of the city in the last week of February 2018. The city's famous South Bank was covered in a deep layer of snow after overnight flurries fell.

Snow covered much of central London at the end of February 2018. Credit: Chris Hitchings

26 February 2018: -4C was recorded in the capital26 February 2019: a warm day with 17C and sunshine forecast

A man enjoys the sun on the foreshore of the river Thames in London on 26th February 2019. Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA