Temperatures soared in parts of the UK as the country recorded its warmest day of the year so far – and one of the hottest April days in the last 80 years.
A high of 26.5C (79.7F) was recorded in Kew Gardens, in south-west London, on Wednesday, the Met Office said. It was the hottest day recorded in the first half of April since 1946, according to the forecaster.
“We are currently seeing a spell of very warm weather for early April, with high pressure drawing warm air north across the UK,” a Met Office spokesperson said. “For many areas, particularly central, southern and eastern England, temperatures are well above average for the time of year.”
London was hotter than many popular holiday destinations including Ibiza, Rome and Marrakech.
Wednesday comfortably surpassed this year’s previous record from a day earlier, when temperatures hit 24.8C in Mona on the island of Anglesey in Wales.
The Met Office has said this week’s weather does not meet its definition of a heatwave, which requires temperatures to exceed region‑specific thresholds of 24C and 27C for at least three consecutive days.
The hot weather has coincided with peak pollen season in the UK, with ash and birch pollen levels remaining very high, according to the Met Office.
Tom Morgan, a meteorologist at the Met Office, told PA Media: “Temperatures even into the mid 20s are very uncommon at this time of year. It’s been very, very warm, but it is a brief peak in the heat, with temperatures for most of the UK considerably lower tomorrow.”
Thursday is expected to bring rain and cooler, showery weather moving south-east across the UK.