UK weather forecast – Britain could be set for hottest EVER February day thanks to 20C Saharan hot air plume
Temperatures are predicted to hit 20C, as the Met Office said there is a chance of late this week breaking February’s 19.7C record, set on February 13, 1998, at Greenwich, London.
20C highs – treble the usual -7C February maximums – are possible, The Weather Outlook said.
Britain will be hotter than Australia – where it is summer. Hobart, Tasmania, is due only 17C highs from midweek.
The Met Office forecast mainly mild temperatures over the month ahead.
A warmer-than-normal March and April were forecast by The Weather Company, the world's biggest commercial forecaster.
Britain could see 25C by April. April saw 25-29C highs in three of the past four years, Met Office records show. 25C April highs were also forecast by The Weather Outlook.
A roasting summer is on the cards this year, The Weather Outlook said.
Bookmakers Coral cut odds on summer being the hottest ever to 5/2. Coral spokesman Harry Aitkenhead said: “Last year was a scorcher – but 2019 is already simmering and punters reckon this summer will be even hotter.”
Weather experts have scrapped forecasts of a ‘Beast from the East’ chill, blaming warm southerly winds arriving instead of expected cold easterlies.
The February temperature record is 19.7C – and there's a chance of reaching it
The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: “Computer models show record 20C February temperatures are possible from the coming weekend.
“Families flying abroad for half-term sun could have stayed home and gone to a UK beach instead.
“Plumes of warm air from the Sahara are due in coming days and also in spring. 25C is certainly likely by April.
“There's a good chance of another fine summer due to the past 12 months’ continuing pattern of high pressure blocking, which brings hot conditions in summer.”
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Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said: “The February temperature record is 19.7C – and there's a chance of reaching it, albeit a low chance.
“The mid-teens are likely later in the week ahead, with potential for higher, although it's a bit too early to say.
“Monday and Tuesday are at 10-12C – still well above average – before southerly winds return from midweek with 15C.
“Temperatures will generally be on the milder side over the next 30 days, with short colder spells at times.
“We never said the ‘Beast from the East’ was definitely coming. We forecast settled and potentially colder conditions, and we have had colder spells.
“It’s mild rather than cold as high pressure is situated a few hundred miles further to our east, giving a southerly rather than easterly flow.”
Met Office forecaster Martin Young said: “It will turn generally very mild again. Temperatures will widely be above the seasonal average.
“For the start of March, temperatures are likely to remain mild overall, with many southern and eastern parts predominantly settled. Atlantic frontal systems will affect northern and western parts.”
A statement from The Weather Company said: “Warmer-than-normal UK conditions are predicted for March and April.”
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