South-east England sizzles in sunshine while north shivers

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/apr/15/south-east-england-sunshine-hot-weather-forecast

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Parts of Britain are set to sizzle in summertime temperatures, while others will have to contend with conditions cooler than average for this time of year.

While Londoners enjoy warm sunshine, with the possibility of temperatures creeping close to 26C (78F), the north-west could see lows of 9C.

Wednesday is forecast to be the hottest day of the year so far, and looks set to be the warmest of the month, as temperatures are expected to return to average or just above average for April.

The south-east of England has been enjoying unseasonably warm temperatures this week, with a high of 22.8C in London on Tuesday. The Met Office has forecast a 30% chance of the mercury rising to 25.5C on Wednesday, but a cool front moving down from the north will ensure temperatures return closer to the average for April towards the weekend.

Cloud cover in Blackpool will restrict temperatures to a chilly 9C on Wednesday, while the Shetland Islands could be a degree cooler. Northern Ireland will have a cloudy start, especially the south-east, but skies will clear, meaning temperatures will rise to around 12C, the April average.

In Scotland, skies will brighten later in the day after a cloudy, wet morning. Along the Welsh and north Cornish coast there will be sea fog and temperatures will hover around low double figures.

Temperatures will become more springlike from Thursday, said the Met Office forecaster Craig Snell. “The cold front across Scotland and Northern Ireland will move south-eastwards throughout the course of the day. It doesn’t reach the south of England and Wales until Thursday,” he said. “There will be an increased amount of cloud across those areas and cloud cover will stop temperatures rising.”

Temperatures are likely to drop to a high of 17C, still around 5C above average for this time of year, Snell said. “Cloud cover and less sunshine will mean temperatures could be down to 15C in London on Friday, with a chilly easterly breeze ensuring it will feel a lot cooler.”

The weekend and into next week may not hit the highs some will enjoy on Wednesday, but high pressure will remain, meaning conditions are expected to be pleasant. “It will feel quite chilly in the wind this weekend, certainly more springlike,” Snell said. “Temperatures will be nearer to normal, but on the positive side of normal, with some warm, sunny spells still to come. There will be plenty of fine, dry weather.”