Nature lovers are today being urged to share their photos of blossom as the nation enjoys a taste of summer with temperatures of 68F and widespread sunshine.
The Met Office said chilly conditions on Saturday morning are set to make way for a warm afternoon, with the highs – 18 degrees Celsius – expected in Manchester and Caernarfon, Wales.
Launched by the National Trust, today marks what the first Blossom Watch Day, where Britons have been urged to celebrate the ‘joy of blossom’ by sharing their images on social media.
In response, Britons in places including Liverpool, Bristol, Leeds and Scunthorpe took to Twitter to share their stunning images.
The National Trust is set to use the locations shared by users to create an interactive map of blossom across the country.
Most of the nation will today see the mercury hover around the mid-teens, but some breezy conditions are forecast to keep temperatures in the single digits in the east and northeast.
Another cold night will be followed by more widespread sunshine on Sunday, however the Met Office said most areas of the UK are not expected to be as warm as Friday and Saturday.
The good weather news follows scenes of thirsty Britons piling into beer gardens and packing streets in parts of the country yesterday to enjoy glorious 66F (19C) sunshine.
Pubs were allowed to re-open for outdoor dining and drinking after Covid restrictions were eased on April 12 – and Britons certainly made the most of their newfound freedom.
Nature lovers are today being urged to share their photos of blossom as the nation enjoys a taste of summer with temperatures of 68F and widespread sunshine. Pictured: This image was taken in Bootle, near Liverpool and posted on Twitter by user @powerandrea
Launched by the National Trust, today marks what the first Blossom Watch Day, where Britons have been urged to celebrate the ‘joy of blossom’ by sharing their images on social media. Pictured: The blossom in Bristol
Britons took to Twitter to share their images of tree blossom today after a campaign launched by the National Trust. Pictured: Blossom in Bootle, Liverpool
A National Trust spokeswoman said of its #BlossomWatch campaign: ‘As restrictions ease and loved ones can finally start to meet outside, the conservation charity is urging people to use the easing of restrictions to share in one of nature’s most magnificent natural spectacles.
‘The recent topsy-turvy weather – with plunging temperatures of up to minus five at night and some areas experiencing snowfall – has given this year’s blossom an uncertain start but it is expected to reach its peak in the coming days and weeks.’
The campaign, which launched in March, has already received more than 5.5 million views, with 32,000 posts on social media including celebrities Lauren Laverne, Julia Bradbury and Matt Baker.
Some 45 MPs have pledged to plant a tree in their constituency this coming autumn to more blossom to urban areas.
Annie Reilly, blossom programme manager at the National Trust, said: ‘Our blossom campaign has got off to a flying start with more than five and a half million views on social media.
‘As the next step in emulating Japan’s Hanami – we want to encourage more people to fully immerse themselves in the joy of blossom as it reaches its peak.
The National Trust is urging Britons to share photos on what they dubbed #BlossomWatch day on Saturday. Pictured: One image shared by Twitter user Andy Urry
The National Trust is set to use the locations shared by users to create an interactive map of blossom across the country. Pictured: Blossom in Leeds
A woman sits on a bench in an avenue of blossom trees in bloom in Greenwich Park, South London, on Friday
The campaign, which launched in March, has already received more than 5.5 million views, with 32,000 posts on social media including celebrities Lauren Laverne, Julia Bradbury and Matt Baker. Pictured: Blossom in Bootle, Liverpool
‘There has been a lot of research into the connection between enjoying moments in nature and feelings of wellbeing, and with social distancing measures having eased slightly, meeting a handful of family or friends under a blossom tree could be the ideal way to lift spirits and re-connect with people.
‘We want to embed this tradition for the future and if ever there was a year to appreciate the joy and comfort of nature, surely 2021 is it.
‘What we’re proposing is a simple activity for all ages to enjoy – grandparents and grandchildren can finally meet up outdoors and make some new memories together to celebrate not only this time in nature’s calendar, but also the easing of lockdown restrictions.’
Saturday’s forecast should maintain the trend of what has been one of the driest Aprils on record with the UK seeing less than a fifth of the average rainfall for the month so far.
This image, of blossom on a coastal path in Devon was shared by Twitter user @Traceysphotos
Saturday’s forecast should maintain the trend of what has been one of the driest Aprils on record with the UK seeing less than a fifth of the average rainfall for the month so far. Pictured: Walkers in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, this morning
There has been an average of 0.5inches (12.8mm) of rain across the UK up to April 22, much lower than the April average of 2.85inches (72.53mm), according to Met Office figures. Pictured: Cyslists in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, this morning
A typical April in the UK would have had 70 per cent of its rainfall by now, but it instead has just had 18 per cent. PIctured: A walker in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, this morning
The driest April on record across the UK was in 1938 when 14.1mm of rain was recorded, followed by April 1974 when 14.6mm of rain fell. Pictured: Joggers in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, this morning
Whitstable Castle, in Kent, is seen above on Saturday as glorious weather reigned across most of the UK and the National Trust urged people to share their pictures of blossom
Most of the nation will today see the mercury hover around the mid-teens, but some breezy conditions are forecast to keep temperatures in the single digits in the east and northeast
There has been an average of 0.5inches (12.8mm) of rain across the UK up to April 22, much lower than the April average of 2.85inches (72.53mm), according to Met Office figures.
A typical April in the UK would have had 70 per cent of its rainfall by now, but it instead has just had 18 per cent.
The driest April on record across the UK was in 1938 when 14.1mm of rain was recorded, followed by April 1974 when 14.6mm of rain fell.
The warm weather has prompted bookmaker Coral slash he odds to 2-1 on next month being the hottest May ever.
They also made it 11-8 that the UK will record its highest ever temperature at some point this year.
Despite the run of dry weather, the Environment Agency said the nation’s water reserves are in a good position.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: ‘Despite the recent dry weather causing some reductions to river flows in north west and south west England, most water companies have appropriate water reserves for this time of year.’
Despite the run of dry weather, the Environment Agency said the nation’s water reserves are in a good position. Pictured: Sunny scenes in Shepherd’s Bush, West London, this morning
Britons are set to flock to parks and beauty spots and pack out beer gardens once again today as temperatures are expected to hit 68F, with no rain expected. Pictured: A cyclist enjoys the sunshine on Saturday morning in Dunsden, Oxfordshire
The Met Office said chilly conditions on Saturday morning are set to make way for a warm afternoon, with the highs – 18 degrees Celsius – expected in Manchester and Caernarfon, Wales. Pictured: Cyclists in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, this morning
Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern said of Saturday’s weather: ‘For most it’s a dry and sunny start but for eastern parts of Scotland, some higher parts of Scotland as well, some Eastern areas of northern England, perhaps a few spots in the East of England it looks like there’s be some low cloud and mist to begin things.
‘That will soon lift, retreat to coasts and then it’s a day of long spells of sunshine once again.
‘There will be thicker cloud through the day for the Northern Isles and perhaps a few light showers for Shetland, but that’s the main exception. For the vast majority it is dry and sunny.
‘A bit of a breeze coming in from the east, that will make it feel much cooler in the east compared to the west and in the sunshine in the west, it will feel warm.’
He said there would be high UV levels, regardless of whether or not there is a cool wind. The forecaster added that clear skies would remain on Saturday night for most but there would be some cloud in north-east Scotland, the Pennines and perhaps parts of east Wales and the Midlands.
He added: ‘Where we’ve got the cloud of course it will stay frost-free and temperatures on the whole on Sunday are looking a little bit less cold compared to Saturday morning.’
Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern said of Saturday’s weather: ‘For most it’s a dry and sunny start but for eastern parts of Scotland, some higher parts of Scotland as well, some Eastern areas of northern England, perhaps a few spots in the East of England it looks like there’s be some low cloud and mist to begin things
The Met Office are predicting widespread sun for most of the UK, although it will be colder in the north of England and Scotland
He said Sunday morning would be ‘dry and bright’ for many although there will be cloudier skies for people on North Sea coasts.
On Monday, rain showers are set to hit Scotland, with the wettest weather coming in the east.
He added: ‘So rainfall next week continues to be very hit and miss. There will be some, but not a huge amount.’
Following a day of sunshine yesterday, crowds of people filled Cutting Room Square in Ancoats, in the north of Manchester City Centre, after bars and restaurants reopened for outdoor service on April 12