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UK weather: Easter holidays brighten up with Britain warmer than Barcelona, Lisbon and Rome as temperatures hit 21C UK weather: Easter holidays brighten up with Britain set to be warmer than Barcelona, Lisbon and Rome as temperatures hit 21C
(about 2 hours later)
Britain is set to enjoy a two-week spring heatwave from today after a mixed Easter weekend, with temperatures in some parts of the country beating many top European holiday destinations.Britain is set to enjoy a two-week spring heatwave from today after a mixed Easter weekend, with temperatures in some parts of the country beating many top European holiday destinations.
After the very windy and unsettled conditions last week and a grey weekend, the Easter Monday bank holiday brings weather that will make it feel like summer has come early.After the very windy and unsettled conditions last week and a grey weekend, the Easter Monday bank holiday brings weather that will make it feel like summer has come early.
The Met Office said most places would be dry throughout the day and into the evening, and it will be particularly warm in the south-west and south Wales where temperatures could hit 21C (70F).The Met Office said most places would be dry throughout the day and into the evening, and it will be particularly warm in the south-west and south Wales where temperatures could hit 21C (70F).
A high of 20.7C (69F) was already achieved in the north east of Scotland on Easter Sunday at Aboyne in Aberdeenshire, and it is in this part of Scotland where temperatures will remain warmest for the rest of the week. Most of Northern Ireland, particularly the east coast, will enjoy the sunshine too.A high of 20.7C (69F) was already achieved in the north east of Scotland on Easter Sunday at Aboyne in Aberdeenshire, and it is in this part of Scotland where temperatures will remain warmest for the rest of the week. Most of Northern Ireland, particularly the east coast, will enjoy the sunshine too.
While Exeter and Bristol will be able to boast the best of the warmer weather, the Met Office’s meteorologist Alex Burkill said the week will remain dry for most.While Exeter and Bristol will be able to boast the best of the warmer weather, the Met Office’s meteorologist Alex Burkill said the week will remain dry for most.
“We are going to hold on to that high pressure which is going to keep things settled,” he said. “We should see plenty more decent spells of sunshine.”“We are going to hold on to that high pressure which is going to keep things settled,” he said. “We should see plenty more decent spells of sunshine.”
There are exceptions to the sunny weather –those looking to enjoy a day trip might consider avoiding Blackpool and the north-west of England where there will be thicker clouds, some showers and brisker winds.There are exceptions to the sunny weather –those looking to enjoy a day trip might consider avoiding Blackpool and the north-west of England where there will be thicker clouds, some showers and brisker winds.
But the Met Office’s long-term forecast up to Sunday 19 April will see “a good deal of fine weather in the south and east, with sunshine and light winds”, with above average temperatures “feeling very warm at times in the spring sunshine”.But the Met Office’s long-term forecast up to Sunday 19 April will see “a good deal of fine weather in the south and east, with sunshine and light winds”, with above average temperatures “feeling very warm at times in the spring sunshine”.
The average UK temperature for April is 11.4C (52F) and for England is 12.4C, according to the Met Office.The average UK temperature for April is 11.4C (52F) and for England is 12.4C, according to the Met Office.
It follows on from a March which was sunnier than average, continuing the trend after the sunniest winter since records began in 1929, the Met Office said.It follows on from a March which was sunnier than average, continuing the trend after the sunniest winter since records began in 1929, the Met Office said.
The weather last month was also drier than average – with England in particular receiving just 62 per cent of its expected rainfall.The weather last month was also drier than average – with England in particular receiving just 62 per cent of its expected rainfall.