Grey skies in Yorkshire fail to dampen heatwave - and it’s set to go on

THE weather has lived up to expectations, with Britain basking in the warmest day of the year so far as predicted - and forecasters say it will get hotter yet.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Apr 2015, 16:46 BST
A family enjoying the early morning sun on Cleethorpes beach. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyA family enjoying the early morning sun on Cleethorpes beach. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
A family enjoying the early morning sun on Cleethorpes beach. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

The 23.2C (74F) recorded at Gravesend, Kent, surpassed 2015’s previous peak of 22.8 (73F) detected yesterday. But the skies remained cloudier over much of Yorkshire

Forecasts suggest highs of close to 26C (79F) are possible and Met Office spokesman Dan Williams said he would be “amazed” if higher temperatures are not recorded during the afternoon.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Several other areas are enjoying summery conditions, with the mercury hitting the low 20s across the southern half of the country.

A father and son making sand castles on Cleethorpes beach on an overcast day in Lincolnshire. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyA father and son making sand castles on Cleethorpes beach on an overcast day in Lincolnshire. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
A father and son making sand castles on Cleethorpes beach on an overcast day in Lincolnshire. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

It means parts of Britain were hotter than Athens (19C), Istanbul (14C) and Rome (17C).

But not everyone was enjoying warm weather, with temperatures in Scotland struggling to surpass 11C (52F) and highs of around 14C (57F) in north east England.

The sizzling conditions are not expected to develop into a heatwave but a “settled” picture is likely to continue into next week.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Williams said: “It will be slightly cooler, with temperatures not quite as high, but it will be mainly dry and fine for the foreseeable future.”

Victor the polar bear cools off on the warm spring sun at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyVictor the polar bear cools off on the warm spring sun at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
Victor the polar bear cools off on the warm spring sun at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

He said it is currently “very warm” for the time of the year but the conditions are “not unprecedented”.

Yesterday, police smashed the windows of a car to free a baby during the hot weather.

Scotland Yard said officers were called at around 12.35 to Surbiton, south west London, following reports that a driver had accidentally locked her keys in her car while her child was inside.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A spokeswoman said: “T he decision was taken to force entry to the vehicle. The child did not require any medical treatment.”

The Met Office said the temperature at Gravesend was beaten by a recording of 23.6C (74.5F) made in St James’s Park, London, at 12.50pm.

Related topics:YorkshireBritainMet OfficeKentScotlandRome