Feeling the heat as mercury rises

Children playing in the fountains in City Park, Centenary Square, Bradford, on Easter Monday.
Picture: Bruce Rollinson — Children playing in the fountains in City Park, Centenary Square, Bradford, on Easter Monday. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

In some parts of the UK, the mercury rose as high as 21C - 10C higher than what is normally forecast for April.

And while a foggy start to the day greeted those spending the weekend on the coast at Scarborough, further inland the sun was shining, with daffodils in full bloom in the grounds of Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds.

MeteoGroup forecaster Gareth Harvey said the pleasant temperatures are set to continue in the region throughout the week.

The scene on Easter Monday on Scarborough's South Bay where the day started with a sea fret covering the coast.
Picture: Tony Bartholomew — The scene on Easter Monday on Scarborough's South Bay where the day started with a sea fret covering the coast. Picture: Tony Bartholomew

“Tuesday should be fairly decent, with bits and pieces of cloud forming in the afternoon,” he said. “Temperatures are looking at getting up to about 16 degrees.”

Overnight on Tuesday and on Wednesday morning, it is expected to be foggy and cloudy, but during the day on Wednesday Yorkshire should see variable amounts of sunshine, with the temperature around 14 to 15 degrees. But the best place to enjoy the spring sunshine will be away from the coast.

“Later in the week it will remain fairly settled, with sunshine making it feel pleasant,” Mr Harvey said.

“The North Sea is still rather chilly at this time of year, and anywhere near the coast will feel the effects of that. Where the sunshine is makes the biggest difference. Inland areas will definitely see the better weather.”

Daffodils in full bloom on Easter Sunday in the grounds of Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds.
Picture: Tony Johnson — Daffodils in full bloom on Easter Sunday in the grounds of Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds. Picture: Tony Johnson

Over the Bank Holiday break, around 16 million people were estimated to have taken to the roads to for the long weekend, with a large programme of engineering blighting those travelling on the railways.

For those still making the most of the Easter school holidays and planning on travelling, the majority of disruption on the rails is now over and high pressure is set to ensure the pleasant conditions continue throughout the UK.

Exeter, Bristol and south Wales will enjoy the best of the warmer weather, said Met Office Meteorologist Alex Burkill.

“We are going to hold on to that high pressure which is going to keep things settled. We should see plenty more decent spells of sunshine,” he said.

In Scotland the north east will see the warmest weather, following on from the Easter Sunday high of 20.7C in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, while most of Northern Ireland will enjoy the sunshine.