BRITS are basking in a 20C heatwave as spring kicks into action – and there's plenty more of the same forecast for "at least" another week.
Daytime temperatures have been in the mid-to-late teens since the official start of the season on Sunday- with Porthmadog recording a sweltering 20.7C yesterday.
And Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern says Brits will be treated to a further "seven days" of sunshine.
He said: "There will be more spring sunshine to come during the rest of the week. High pressure close to the east then becomes increasingly centred over the UK from Wednesday into Thursday and Friday."
"That high pressure isn't going anywhere for the foreseeable," he added.
"For the next seven days at least it's going to bring plenty of warm sunshine."
Read our weather live blog for the latest news and forecasts…
- Joseph Gamp
Temperatures set to soar to 20C next week
TEMPERATURES will soar to a summery highs next week after yesterday’s hottest day of year so far.
The mercury topped 20C as Britain basked in wall-to-wall sunshine – and there is only more to come.
After a brief dip today and tomorrow, when there will be a “cooler and fresher feel”, the weather will return to near-heatwave conditions come Tuesday.
Forecasters reckon it could reach the late teens at the beginning of the week, before surpassing 20C once more on Wednesday.
It will be warmest in southern England and northern Scotland, but most areas will enjoy cloudless skies and magnificent sunshine.
- Joseph Gamp
Short weather summary for tomorrow
Early fog patches soon clearing then fine with plenty of warm sunshine for most, though an isolated afternoon shower is possible in the northeast.
Generally cloudier in the northwest.
- Joseph Gamp
Weekend weather outlook
The Met Office says in it’s weekend weatehr summary: “Mostly settled with warm sunny spells each day, but cooler near coasts and overnight.
“Far north cloudier with light rain at times.
“Some fog patches for north and east coasts.”
- Joseph Gamp
Chilly start to Thursday morning says Met Office
There's more sunshine in store tomorrow- but it will be chilly first thing on Thursday morning.
The Met Office tweeted: "A chilly start on Thursday morning with some mist and fog in places.
"Away from the mist and fog there will be lots of sunshine on offer."
- Joseph Gamp
London weather forecast for this weekend
Mainly dry with sunny spells, prolonged at times, and light winds.
Mist and fog patches possible in the mornings.
Warm by day, but remaining chilly overnight with some frost possible.
- Joseph Gamp
Supermarket sales rise as summer arrives early
Supermarkets recorded a 50 per cent rise in burger sales while ice lolly sales rose three-fold.
Tesco is expected to sell 250,000 packets of sausages and over two million bottles of beer and wine this week.
Asda is set to clear 500,000 patties and 250,000 sausages as Brits soak up the good weather.
But the spring heatwave will burn Brits in just 45 minutes as UV rays levels verge on high.
- Joseph Gamp
Staying dry with clear skies this evening
The weather will stay dry this evening, says the Met Office, after a roaster of a day.
It tweeted: "Staying dry this evening with largely clear skies.
"Turning chilly after sunset with a few mist and fog patches in the east."
- Joseph Gamp
‘A very pleasant spell of spring weather ahead’
Jim Dale, meteorologist for British Weather Services, added: “We are expecting a very pleasant spell of spring weather.
“It is certainly going to bring the warmest spell of weather so far this year in time for the spring equinox.
“We expect plenty of sunshine through the next week, and there is a chance that we see 21C in parts.”
- Joseph Gamp
Sunseekers face £100 fines for simple mistake at beaches this summer
Holidaymakers could face a £100 fine for this simple mistake during the summer months.
Brits heading south to Brighton during the warm weather have been warned that this summer activity has been banned – and they could be slapped with a penalty.
People who light a barbecue on a beach in Brighton this summer face a fine of up to £100.
The Green-run council has voted to ban disposable barbecues from all beaches in Brighton and Hove and from all parks and spaces owned by the local authority.
Anyone caught lighting a disposable barbecue after July 1 will be handed a Fixed Penalty Notice for £100.
The ban will also cover balloon and lantern releases in public spaces after public concerns over their effect on wildlife and the environment.
- Joseph Gamp
Be sure to keep hydrated during heatwaves
Dr Ross Perry of skin clinics chain Cosmedics said a heatwave in March or April “can be a shock to the system and skin”.
He said: “People may underestimate the amount of water they should be drinking, as it is unlike a sweltering hot summer’s day.
“Many people will suddenly move outside to do their exercising following months of being indoors, without thinking they might need sun protection or more water on hand.”
Drinking plenty of water in hot temperatures is essential to avoid heat stroke, which can be life-threatening, especially in the elderly, children and people with health conditions.
- Joseph Gamp
How to ease hay fever
Here are some ways you can ease hay fever symptoms:
Shower and change clothes after being outdoors: Pollen gets everywhere, sticking to clothes and affecting you long after you’ve retreated inside.
Apply petroleum gel just under the nose: Dabbing a little petroleum gel, such as Vaseline, around the nostrils before you head out can act as a barrier to prevent pollen particles from entering your nose.
Wear wraparound sunglasses: This is a suitably stylish way of keeping pesky pollen powder out of your eyes.
Keep it clean: Regularly wash your hands when out and about to remove pollen and avoid rubbing it further into your eyes or nose.
Dry your laundry inside: If you suffer from hay fever, it’s better to dry your laundry inside so that it won’t catch any pollen outside.
Keep pets clean: Animal fur can easily collect pollen when outdoors.
Create an on-the-go first aid kit: There are plenty of products you can pick up at the chemist to keep your symptoms in check, each with different abilities.
- Joseph Gamp
Met Office starts its pollen count early
Tree pollen allergies affect around 25 per cent of people who suffer with hay fever.
The Met Office started its pollen count early this year on March 17 and stated: "The mild winter means that the birch pollen is likely to be released earlier than normal – possibly in central and southern areas later on this month."
Depending on where you live in the UK, you might get away with a shorter hay fever season.
Those in the south will see their agony start earlier, due to warmer temperatures and slightly less rainfall.
- Joseph Gamp
Weekend weather outlook
The Met Office says in it's weekend weatehr summary: "Mostly settled with warm sunny spells each day, but cooler near coasts and overnight.
"Far north cloudier with light rain at times.
"Some fog patches for north and east coasts."
- Joseph Gamp
'At least' seven days of sunshine forecast ahead, says Met Office
Daytime temperatures have been in the mid-to-late teens since the official start of the season on Sunday- with Porthmadog recording a sweltering 20.7C yesterday.
And Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern says Brits will be treated to a further "seven days" of sunshine.
He said: "There will be more spring sunshine to come during the rest of the week. High pressure close to the east then becomes increasingly centred over the UK from Wednesday into Thursday and Friday."
"That high pressure isn't going anywhere for the foreseeable," he added.
"For the next seven days at least it's going to bring plenty of warm sunshine."
- Joseph Gamp
Temperatures are scorching for this time of year
It's a scorcher today and it feels like summer has come early across the UK.
But today's temperatures are a huge increase from the average temperature recorded at this time of year.
The average max temperature in London is usually 11, but the actual temperature today is a roasting 20C.
- Joseph Gamp
In pictures: People in summer mode at Lyme Regis, Dorset
Brits are being treated to an early Spring Heatwave today and Brits are soaking up the sun.
This image shows visitors on the beach basking in the scorching hot spring sunshine with clear blue skies at the seaside resort of Lyme Regis in Dorset.
The good weather is set to continue into the weekend.
NINTCHDBPICT000721057899Credit: ©Graham Hunt - Milica Cosic
Thank you for reading my coverage this morning. My colleague Joe Gamp will now be looking after the blog until 10pm tonight.
- Milica Cosic
Sunshine on offer today
The Met Office brings great news as it says that sunshine is on offer throughout most parts of the UK today.
It also said that temperatures are approaching 20°C in places.
- Milica Cosic
Your hay fever may be back… and here's why
THE WARMER weather is set to wreak havoc with hay fever symptoms, as tree pollen levels spike.
Climate change may be leading to an extension of the grass and tree pollen this season, and may be the cause to your hay feaver start earlier.
The Met Office has said that the first week of spring will see dry, sunny weather and daytime temperatures in the mid to late teens.
Jin Zhang, global medical director at Kimberly-Clark UK, said: "When temperatures rise, primary sources of pollutants tend to increase, making the air quality even more challenging for millions of hay fever sufferers.
"As such, global warming will likely cause pollen seasons to start earlier and last longer."
For people who suffer with hay fever, reports believe that pollution (64%), rising temperatures (52%) and extreme weather conditions (38%) are the biggest environmental factors impacting their allergies.
Amena Warner, head of clinical services at the charity Allergy UK, said: “Living with allergies and maintaining a quality of life is not always easy. Enjoying everyday activities can become a real struggle. With the realities that warmer weather brings, it is crucial that allergy sufferers be given the advice, support and tools to manage their symptoms whilst staying active and healthy.”
- Milica Cosic
Make sure you're drinking plenty of water
Dr Ross Perry of skin clinics chain Cosmedics said a heatwave in March or April "can be a shock to the system and skin".
He said: "People may underestimate the amount of water they should be drinking, as it is unlike a sweltering hot summer's day.
"Many people will suddenly move outside to do their exercising following months of being indoors, without thinking they might need sun protection or more water on hand."
Drinking plenty of water in hot temperatures is essential to avoid heat stroke, which can be life-threatening, especially in the elderly, children and people with health conditions.
- Milica Cosic
Making sure you're parking in the shade
It might sound simple, but picking a place to park on a hot day can make or break your engine.
Aim for a space that's going to be shady at midday when it's likely to be hottest.
Your best bet is to go for a spot where the sun is behind you as this will keep the steering wheel and front seats cooler.
Finding a space under a tree or sheltered by some form of cover is one of the easiest ways to prevent your car from heating up.
But the best place of all? A garage or covered car park where your vehicle will be cool and safe.
- Milica Cosic
UK weather outlook for Friday and Saturday
Friday will be dry with lengthy periods of sunshine however there will be areas of cloud across Scotland bringing a chance of drizzle.
Early mist on Saturday will clear to reveal long spells of sunshine however there will be patchy cloud around too and will be mostly across northern Britain.
- Milica Cosic
Tomorrow's weather (Thursday)
Early patches of mist and fog will be most frequent across eastern areas but will soon lift and clear.
It will then be fine during the day as it will be dry with lengthy periods of sunshine and just some patchy cloud cover.
Thick cloud will build into northern Scotland bringing a chance of drizzle.
- Milica Cosic
Tonight's weather
Any daytime showers will soon clear during the evening to reveal clear spells.
Overnight will then be dry with lengthy clear spells although patches of mist and fog will form and will be most frequent across eastern areas.
Some patchy cloud cover will tend to build, mostly in the north and west.
- Milica Cosic
Failing to protect burnt skin
If you do notice your skin has burned, act straight away to treat it.
Dr Ross Perry of skin clinics chain Cosmedics has advised: “The most important thing is once you realise you are burnt or getting burnt, take it out of the sun immediately.
“And then the best thing to do is apply moisturising lotions such as Aloe Vera or other soothing aftersun lotions and to apply this every 2 hours.
“It is also important to treat the sunburn with a cold flannel after the initial few hours after the burn.
“Once it has got past 4- 6 hours then carry on applying regular moisturising creams. You could also take anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen if it stings.
“But prevention is always better than cure.”
Getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple your risk of melanoma, says Cancer Research UK.
Dr Ross said: "Darker skin types have less of a reaction to stronger sun light or sunlight in general, however contrary to popular belief, darker skin types can still get sunburnt."
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