‘Fine Sunday’ for today’s boat race: London is set for cool but sunny 10C for Oxford and Cambridge bout with return of spring weather… after bone-chilling -7C overnight
- Today will see the return of Spring to most of the UK after a chilly morning, in some places reaching 10C (50F)
- Warmer breezes are a relief for the Oxford and Cambridge University boat race, which is set for this afternoon
- It comes as temperatures plunged below freezing overnight, the lowest being minus 7C (19F) in Wales
- Sunshine will be followed by showers in the evening, with some clouds in northern England and Scotland
Spring is slowly creeping back as weather forecasters predict a ‘fine Sunday’ after a chilly start to April.
Temperatures plunged overnight to below freezing level across most of the UK, with average recordings at minus 3C to minus 4C. The coldest climes were found in Wales and the West Midlands at minus 7C (18F).
But the cool trend is set to reverse today as by lunchtime, some parts of the UK will reach 10C (50F), with lows of 5C (41F) in Peterborough, Birmingham and York.
It is a welcome change as the annual rowing contest between crews from Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Clubs gets underway this afternoon.
After a mild afternoon, rain will push southwards through the evening, continuing for Scotland and Northern Ireland and moving into northern England and the rain will become heavy for western Scotland.
By the early hours of the morning, the rain will have covered all parts of the country. A strong westerly breeze.
The Met Office stated: ‘A fine day for most on Sunday with some sunshine, particularly England and Wales though a few showers possible for central parts. Cloudier further north with rain arriving from the northwest during the day. A little milder than Saturday.
A dazzling sunrise unfolds at the Plymouth Sound in Devon, as much of the UK sees a return to Spring weather after a chilly start
Paddleboarders take to the water as the sunrises at the Plymouth Sound in Devon
Temperatures plunged overnight to below freezing level at minus three to minus four degrees celsius across most of the UK, with the coldest climate in Wales and the West Midlands at minus 7C (18F)
Two people make their way out of the sea after an early morning swim on Boscombe beach in Dorset
Early morning risers enjoyed a brisk swim in the sea off Boscombe beach in Dorset
Hardy swimmers took the plunge in Boscombe, Dorset, this morning as temperatures slowly bounced back from below freezing
‘Rain over Scotland will continue southwards overnight. Temperatures rising from the northwest though falling for the first part of the night for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Becoming windier.
‘Cloudy for most with rain over western upslopes. Elsewhere some light rain at times but many eastern areas dry with some brightness. Breezy for all but milder than Sunday.’
Tomorrow will see an overcast start with rain affecting most areas, which will be heavy for western Scotland.
In the afternoon, the rain will turn lighter and will become more patchy and showery. The rain will clear from southern England, but will persist in other areas. A strong westerly breeze
Patchy light rain and drizzle for most on Tuesday, with more persistent rain in the afternoon, especially for Northern Ireland, northern England and Scotland. Cloudy for most. Moderate winds.
Showers for most on Wednesday but with persistent, heavy rain for Scotland. Some sun for southern England.
The icy weather this month comes after the UK experienced its sunniest March since 1929 and its second sunniest overall, with records dating back to 1919.
Northern Ireland basked in 90 per cent more sunshine than average for the month, with a total of 192.5 hours of sun.
Scotland saw 64 per cent more sun than usual, with a total of 160.1 hours, while England enjoyed its sunniest March at 168.1 hours and Wales its fifth brightest with 157.9 hours.
Scots also saw just 50 per cent of its average rainfall with 61.9mm, and the UK as a whole experiencing only 58 per cent of of its average rainfall, with 46.9mm of rain.
By the afternoon, most of the UK will be basking in climes of 7C to 9C – a welcome relief after a freezing start to April
Temperatures will reach 10C (50F) in some parts of the UK today (pictured), with lows of 5C (41F) in Peterborough, Birmingham and York
Midway through Sunday (pictured) it will warm up to 10C (50F) in some parts of the UK tomorrow
In the UK, the warmest average temperature for April was recorded at 10.7C (51.26F) in 2011, with the coldest average in 1917 at a chilly 4.3C (39.74F).
The national forecaster says that from Monday through to Wednesday next week, it will be generally cloudy, unsettled period for most, although milder than recently.
The most persistent rain will affect northern and western areas, with some of this turning to snow over high ground.
Until Friday 15 April, further unsettled conditions are expected to arrive later in the week, with most areas seeing spells of rain or showers, potentially wintry on high ground at times.
‘Periods of drier and more settled weather are still possible, but more short-lived than recently,’ the Met Office reports.
‘Showers may be heavy at times, with hail and thunder possible. Strong winds are also likely at times, mainly in the north and the west, with temperatures generally near or slightly above average.’
Towards late April, there are ‘tentative’ signs of more settled conditions redeveloping, with temperatures ‘likely’ to be above average, especially in the south.
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