The meteorologist said that the mercury reached 22 degrees Celsius in St. James Park in London today, adding that he expects the temperature to rise further, to 23 degrees Celsius, in the next few hours. Earlier, the Met Office had advised those seeking the sun to “make the most of the weekend” for Easter activities, as “Monday has warmer temperatures and more humidity”. Good Friday was expected to be the culmination of good weather over the weekend due to the warm air flow south over the UK. People flocked to parks and beaches to enjoy the sun and the travel chaos was not as bad as it initially feared, despite heavy traffic jams in some parts of the country. Heavy traffic jams occurred at the M20 in Dover as P&O Dover-Calais services remained suspended, with some travelers complaining that they lost their ferries after hours of waiting. Visitors to Wanstead Park in north-east London among this year’s bluebells (PA) Met Office meteorologist Steven Keates said high temperatures of up to 23 C were expected in London, breaking the 20.8 C record last month. But the hot weather will not be limited to the south, with mercury predicted to reach teens in the north, including Yorkshire and parts of Scotland. The beach in Bournemouth was busy as it started over the weekend (PA) Mr Keates said that while there may not be clear blue skies, most parts of the UK will enjoy sunny seasons and high temperatures. He urged beach visitors to “stick to the sunscreen” and drink plenty of water to protect themselves from above-average UV levels. Trucks and trucks queue on the M20 to Dover (AFP via Getty Images) The power of UV rays could reach 6, which is considered high in the Met Office index. This increase has been triggered by the stratospheric ozone depletion, which helps protect the Earth from radiation, he said. (PA) The natural reactions in the atmosphere as well as the anthropogenic emissions contribute to the phenomenon, which is usually temporary, the meteorologist added. He said: “It’s a naturally moving circle, partly unaffected by human emissions. “There will be a short-term, slight depletion (of stratospheric ozone) … and the sun is also rising in mid-April.” It was warm enough for rowing (PA) However, the higher temperatures brought a warning to people with allergic rhinitis, as the Met Office pollen number was forecast to be high across England throughout Good Friday and the weekend. Edmund King, president of AA, said the roads would be busier than usual this Easter due to hot weather, a lack of trains and an increase in “accommodation”.
