Brits are bracing for the warmest temperatures of the year so far over Easter weekend, with highs of up to 22C (72F) – but not before Sarahan dust falls across the country for the second time in a month.
Warm weather will continue throughout the week, with dry conditions expected for most of the UK, with a forecast of 18C (64F) today ahead of 20C (68F) from tomorrow through at least Easter Sunday . The temperature in London on Good Friday (20 °C / 68 °F) is higher than in Ibiza (19 °C / 66 °F) and Malta (17 °C / 63 °F).
Meteorologists warned, however, that residents of east and south-east England could again see orange-tinged sediment on their cars, windows and outdoor appliances due to the arrival of Saharan dust from North Africa.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs today warned of moderate air pollution in the south-east after dust also swept in on March 16 to produce orange skies and “blood rain” as it fell in showers.
The previous cloud of dust last month turned the London skyline an eerie colour, also forcing motorists to clean their cars and homeowners to scrub their windows after they were covered in a thick orange film.
Rain is expected over parts of the Southeast between 3pm and 10pm this afternoon, meaning dust could fall in the downpours at any point during that timeframe.
While low air pollution is expected from tomorrow through Friday, there is a separate risk of widespread moderate air pollution across eastern England through Saturday – potentially with areas of high pollution in coastal areas.
And the Met Office has warned hay fever sufferers that there will be intermittent high pollen levels in England and Wales this week, adding that it is mainly tree pollen that is currently active – including elm, ash and birch.
People enjoying the warm weather this morning whilst out on a barge on the River Cam in Cambridge
People are enjoying the mild spring weather in London today with high temperatures forecast over the Easter Bank Holiday
Workers enjoy their lunch outside in London this afternoon as people make the most of the mild spring weather
The sunrise over Gravesend Town Pier in Kent is reflected in the waters of the River Thames this morning
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Rudman said: “The picture is a bit mixed as far as the weather for the Easter long weekend is concerned, although it is feeling warm in places at least in the early part of the weekend.
“A low pressure area in the north west of the UK will bring unsettled weather to the north, with some strong winds and rain likely in the north west which could affect driving conditions for some.
“However, it will be drier further south, particularly in the southeast, although there will be variable amounts of cloud. Temperature is likely to be above average for the time of year, although low cloud could keep temperatures lower in coastal areas.’
Forecasters said the warm southerly airflow will bring milder temperatures over Britain than have been observed in recent weeks – but also rainy and occasionally windy weather ahead of the four-day Easter weekend.
The warmer air being drawn in from France will contrast with arctic air mass conditions, which have seen temperatures plunge below freezing in much of the UK over the past week.
It comes after sleet and snow showers up to the Peak District last Friday and a hard frost on Saturday night bringing lows of -6C (21F) in Sennybridge in south Wales.
However, there will now also be a series of weather fronts and choppy periods, particularly in the west, where there could be gusts of 60mph along with heavy showers and thunderstorms.
Rain will be more persistent in the north, where temperatures will remain lower than expected in the south east, where temperatures will rise to 20°C (68°F) in places with prolonged sunshine.
There will also be a north-west/south-east split later in the week, but the Met Office said there was “some uncertainty as to where the divide will settle at this point”.
The forecaster said showers “will be more likely in the north and west, where temperatures will average for the season,” adding that “calmer conditions will prevail in the south-east.”
Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said that despite the warmth expected for this week, the north-west will see some persistent cloud, making the eastern areas the best destination for sun-seekers this weekend.
“If people are traveling for the sun, then areas farther east are more likely to see this brighter weather,” she said. “I think mainly for the bank holiday weekend we will see temperatures well above average across the UK and hopefully they could be very warm in the south east in particular.
Wet weather elsewhere isn’t stopping some beachgoers heading to Tynemouth Longsands Beach in North Tyneside today
Six year old Ellis Harrison from Derbyshire is building a sandcastle on Tynemouth Longsands Beach in North Tyneside today
Rain hits Lancashire this morning as people take shelter under umbrellas on Blackpool Promenade today
People walk under umbrellas in Blackpool, Lancashire today as heavy rain batters parts of North West England
MARCH 16: A cloud of dust from the Sahara desert last month turned the sky over London an eerie shade of orange and also brought ‘blood rain’.
“Certainly warmer than average, but nowhere near heat wave criteria. It’s definitely going to be warmer than the week we just had and last week.”
The warmest day of the year so far was March 23, when 20.8C (69.4F) was recorded in St James’s Park in London – meaning highs predicted for the South East over the weekend set a new record would set up for 2022.
Ms Shuttleworth said: “We will see temperatures generally rising as the week progresses. Temperatures could hit 20C, 21C, possibly 22C as of Thursday.
“In the southern and eastern areas, we tend to see some sunshine and clearer skies in the afternoon.”
