UK weather: South of England set to enjoy 64F sunshine on 2021’s warmest day so far

People flocked to parks and beaches across Britain this afternoon as the country enjoyed its warmest day of the year so far with temperatures soaring to nearly 64F (18C).

Britons sat on park benches enjoying coffee and went for walks on the beach as the third coronavirus lockdown continues, but the North remained on high alert for flooding after three inches of rain fell in 24 hours.

The UK recorded a new 2021 high of 17.6C (63.7F) in the Lincolnshire villages of Donna Nook and Coningsby by midday, while temperatures in London and the South East were expected to reach 61F (16C) this afternoon.

It meant temperatures comfortably beat the previous record for this year of 60.6F (15.9F) set only on Sunday in Norfolk, although they were below the all-time monthly record of 70.2F (21.2C) set in London on February 26, 2019.

Today’s maximums were significantly above the UK average daily high for February, which is 43.9F (6.6C), and come after the sky glowed a deep orange at sunrise again today thanks to Saharan dust blown north from Africa.

The mercury at 8am today was already at 54F (12C) in Preston, 52F (11C) in Bristol and 50F (10C) in Inverness, County Armagh and North Wales – the sort of temperatures normally seen as maximums for the time of year.

The high readings, which come ten days after Britain faced ice, snow and sub-zero temperatures, were even above the average maximum for May, which is 58.6F (14.8C) for the UK and 60.4F (15.8C) for England.

But northern England and Scotland face more heavy rain, after Keswick in the Lake District had nearly three inches (75mm) in the 24 hours until sunrise this morning, with more expected today.

People go for a walk in the warm and sunny weather at Hyde Park in London this afternoon as the third lockdown continues

People gather at a park in Bristol to enjoy the milder weather as the third national coronavirus lockdown continues

People gather at a park in Bristol to enjoy the milder weather as the third national coronavirus lockdown continues

People take a breath of fresh air as they go for a walk along Bournemouth beach in Dorset this afternoon

People take a breath of fresh air as they go for a walk along Bournemouth beach in Dorset this afternoon

People enjoy walking in the warm and sunny weather at Hyde Park in Central London this afternoon

People enjoy walking in the warm and sunny weather at Hyde Park in Central London this afternoon

Jodie, Eddie, three, and Cara Kingsley go for a paddle in the sea on Bournemouth beach in Dorset today

Jodie, Eddie, three, and Cara Kingsley go for a paddle in the sea on Bournemouth beach in Dorset today

People sit on benches in the warm and sunny weather at Hyde Park in Central London this afternoon

People sit on benches in the warm and sunny weather at Hyde Park in Central London this afternoon

People walk through Hyde Park this afternoon as London and the South East of England enjoy mild temperatures

People walk through Hyde Park this afternoon as London and the South East of England enjoy mild temperatures

Everly Fidler, five, runs among a stunning blanket of over 200,000 crocus bulbs at RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey today

Everly Fidler, five, runs among a stunning blanket of over 200,000 crocus bulbs at RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey today

Two women sit with a dog at Hyde Park in London today as parts of Britain enjoy the warmest day of the year so far

Two women sit with a dog at Hyde Park in London today as parts of Britain enjoy the warmest day of the year so far

People enjoy the sea air on a blustery and overcast afternoon at Hengistbury Head in Dorset today

People enjoy the sea air on a blustery and overcast afternoon at Hengistbury Head in Dorset today

A couple take a photo amongst daffodils at St James's Park in London today amid the mild temperatures

A couple take a photo amongst daffodils at St James’s Park in London today amid the mild temperatures

People go out for a walk in the warm and sunny weather at Hyde Park in Central London today

People go out for a walk in the warm and sunny weather at Hyde Park in Central London today

People go kayaking along the River Cam in Cambridge this morning as the country enjoys mild conditions

People go kayaking along the River Cam in Cambridge this morning as the country enjoys mild conditions

People talk to others while walking a dog at Hyde Park in London today as they enjoy being out in the warm weather

People talk to others while walking a dog at Hyde Park in London today as they enjoy being out in the warm weather

Mother Marina and baby Vivienne among daffodils at St James's Park in London this afternoon

Mother Marina and baby Vivienne among daffodils at St James’s Park in London this afternoon

A woman is taken for a run by her dog as people enjoy the fresh air at Bournemouth beach in Dorset today

A woman is taken for a run by her dog as people enjoy the fresh air at Bournemouth beach in Dorset today

People sit on park benches in Bristol this morning as parts of the country enjoy warmer-than-average conditions for February

People sit on park benches in Bristol this morning as parts of the country enjoy warmer-than-average conditions for February

People walk by crocuses in bloom in the grounds of Holy Trinity Church in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, this morning

People walk by crocuses in bloom in the grounds of Holy Trinity Church in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, this morning

Two women enjoy a walk as they stroll through Hyde Park in Central London this morning during the warm weather

Two women enjoy a walk as they stroll through Hyde Park in Central London this morning during the warm weather

People speak to each other on benches at Hyde Park in Central London this morning

People speak to each other on benches at Hyde Park in Central London this morning

Police officers speak to people in Hyde Park this morning as Londoners enjoy the warm and sunny weather

Police officers speak to people in Hyde Park this morning as Londoners enjoy the warm and sunny weather

People take photographs of crocus flowers as they bloom at the back of Trinity College in Cambridge this morning

People take photographs of crocus flowers as they bloom at the back of Trinity College in Cambridge this morning

People kayak along the River Cam in Cambridge this morning on what is a beautiful day in much of eastern England

People kayak along the River Cam in Cambridge this morning on what is a beautiful day in much of eastern England

People go for a walk in the warm weather at Hyde Park in Central London this morning as the third lockdown continues

People go for a walk in the warm weather at Hyde Park in Central London this morning as the third lockdown continues

The Met Office has issued two weather warnings for downpours in North Wales, running until 6pm today, and Cumbria, running until 8pm – as up to 3.5in (90mm) is expected to fall across those two areas.

The South will enjoy mild weather while the North faces rain

The South will enjoy mild weather while the North faces rain

There were 137 flood alerts or warnings in place across Britain this morning, including 63 alerts and nine warnings in England; ten alerts and 38 warnings in Scotland; and 15 alerts and two warnings in Wales.

The rain is forecast to move down across the UK from late today into tomorrow, but is likely to clear by Friday – and more fine weather is predicted for the end of the week, with sunshine and further mild temperatures.  

Met Office forecaster Oli Claydon said: ‘A few days of milder temperatures are forecast. It will be a noticeable change from what we’ve had in recent weeks. It will feel more like spring, especially in the sunshine.

‘Through the week we’re into double figures [in Celsius] for many places, including parts of Scotland.’

BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood said it was ‘very mild for late February’, adding that parts of the country ‘could see 17C (63F), possibly even 18C (64F) in any prolonged sunshine, in some eastern areas’ today. 

Many spring flowers are already blooming as much of Britain enjoys the warm sunshine, with stunning arrays of snowdrops, carpets and crocuses and golden daffodils in full bloom across the country.  

Flood alerts and warnings for England

Flood alerts and warnings for Scotland

There are 63 alerts and nine warnings in place for England (left), and ten alerts and 38 warnings across Scotland (right)

A spectacular sunrise this morning over Ely Cathedral in the Cambridgeshire Fens as a Saharan dust cloud affects the country

A spectacular sunrise this morning over Ely Cathedral in the Cambridgeshire Fens as a Saharan dust cloud affects the country

The London Eye in silhouette against the early morning sky viewed from across the River Thames in London this morning

The London Eye in silhouette against the early morning sky viewed from across the River Thames in London this morning

The sky over South West London glows a deep orange at sunrise again today thanks to Saharan dust blown north from Africa

The sky over South West London glows a deep orange at sunrise again today thanks to Saharan dust blown north from Africa

In Scotland, strong winds have been causing problems, with many Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services cancelled due to adverse weather while the Tay Road Bridge was closed to double decker buses due to high winds.

Gusts of 50mph to 60mph and up to 70mph for the Western Isles and the Moray coast were expected overnight, with Police Scotland urging people to plan ahead if they had to travel. 

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: ‘The Met Office is telling us to expect another period of difficult weather, with heavy rain and strong winds forecast for much of Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

‘The current Covid restrictions mean you should only be leaving your home for an essential purpose, so please consider if your journey is absolutely necessary before setting off.’ 

How does Saharan dust make its way towards Britain? 

A Met Office graphic shows how Saharan dust travels to Britain

A Met Office graphic shows how Saharan dust travels to Britain

Saharan dust is a mixture of sand and dust from the desert in North Africa. Winds can blow fiercely over the area which whips up dust and sand into the sky, and this could be carried to Britain if winds in the upper section of the atmosphere are blowing north.

The dust can fall to the ground over the UK with rain, which collects it on the way down. When this lands on something and evaporates, it leaves a layer of dust.

The process often occurs several times a year when big dust storms in the Sahara happen at the same time as southerly wind patterns over Britain.

The dust can also affect air pollution, with Defra warning on Monday of an ‘increased chance of pockets of moderate air pollution’ in the South East England due to the latest plume – although this risk has now passed.