Britain could see temperatures of up to 19C, forecasters say – higher than Malta or Barcelona during the same period. For a country coming off an extremely rainy winter, the difference is significant.
Forecasters say Wednesday will be “mild almost everywhere” with plenty of sunshine in southeast England. 16.6C has already been recorded in Kent and Essex and forecasts point to the possibility of some areas in the south-east reaching 17-18C, with a real chance of 19C being exceeded locally.
A very cold winter followed by a burst of heat
This warmer period comes at the end of a winter with precipitation above the 30-year average. East Scotland saw 114% of normal rainfall and the Midlands reached 140%.
According to the Met Office, the current warm spell is being caused by a southerly air flow, driven by low pressure in the west and high pressure in the east.
However, forecasters warn that this is not a steady shift towards spring. From Thursday, temperatures will drop slightly and westerly winds will bring clouds and rain to most of the country.
Global warming or simple seasonal variation?
The Met Office points out that such episodes must be seen in the context of climate change. A warmer atmosphere can hold about 7% more moisture for each additional degree Celsius—which explains the heavy rain episodes this winter.
The question that inevitably arises: Is this unusual heat a mere temporary episode or part of a new climate pattern?
Meteorological spring begins on March 1. But for many, the feeling of spring has already arrived.
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