According to the Met Office, temperatures in Britain may reach 60 degrees by 2022.
Yesterday’s mercury readings were similar to yesterday. This was despite a mild December overall.
Friday’s temperatures reached nearly 61F at Merryfield, Somerset, and Nantwich, Cheshire. This was well above the previous record of just 59F. Meteorologists expect more today.
Craig Snell, a forecaster said that it was possible. Since December 2016, it is the first occasion that three consecutive days have reached 15C (59F) since then. This has been an extended mild spell.
‘It could break records tomorrow, but I was far more confident that we’d see record-breaking temperature on New Year’s Day because the New Year’s Day record is a little higher. It will be exceptionally mild until 2022.
Met Office stated that two new New Year’s Day record highs would result in the “unusual” situation where one weather system could break records for weather on two consecutive calendar years.
A low pressure area over Ireland has been bringing warm air from Africa. Temperatures in the morning will plunge to 8C (46F) South, and 5C (41% North).
The UK is experiencing heavy rainfall and grey skies, which, in spite of recent heat, have led to some rivers burst into their banks. Many communities are now on flood watch.
The She Swims Falmouth trio pose following a New Year’s Eve swimming at Gyllyngvase, a beach in Cornwall.
Yesterday, Hampton Court Palace’s ice rink was closed due to the heat.
For the mildest New year’s Eve, walkers and joggers enjoy the Bournemouth Beach in Dorset.
Yesterday afternoon, surfers waited for a wave off Bournemouth Beach in Dorset during the warmest New Year’s Eve ever
The London conditions were so hot yesterday, that Hampton Court Palace’s rink was forced to close as the surface started to melt. It happened exactly 59 years ago after the River Thames began freezing over in the 1962 Big Freeze.
The warm weather also caused other ice rinks to close elsewhere, such as Somerset House, Queen’s House, Greenwich, and Coventry Cathedral. Jubilee Square in Leicester closed for repairs, while the Natural History Museum rink in London was open.
Britons shared their surprise at the warmth on Twitter. One said they didn’t wear a coat, while another pointed out that it was warm enough for them to go out in a T-shirt. A third stated they don’t have heating and one added: “I don’t even use my heating.” One fourth said: “I’ve got laundry on the line, and my backdoor wide open.”
He said that December’s average temperature was 7C/8C. The warm weather this year is due to a strong south-westerly breeze blowing across the country.
The higher temperatures can be found in a few places, but many areas saw highs above 15C during December. But, January might see an increase in temperature.
Yesterday, Somerset House London confirmed that its ice rink would close on New Year’s Day because of warmer temperatures
Somerset House spokesperson tweeted, “Skate Update: Because of the ongoing warm temperatures on the quality ice, it was necessary to close the rink at 1 January. We are contacting all customers directly for a complete refund.
“We currently deal with very high levels of customer queries so it might take us longer to respond. We apologize for the inconvenience. In the event of any additional impact to future dates, we’ll update you as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, a New Year’s Day charity swim in the sea has been cancelled because of fears the cheering crowds and the bathers, many in fancy dress, would pass Covid to each other.
Caswand, a charity swimming event in Plymouth’s briny, attracts thousands. Medical experts warn that Covid can be caught in open water.
The Devon region alone has seen similar New Year swimming events at Wembury or the Firestone Freezer near Plymouth cancelled. Charities are now facing major financial losses. However, the North Devon’s New Year’s Day swim at Saunton Beach near Bideford continues today.
As many as 6 000 spectators watch the spectacle, people come from all parts of the South West England to enjoy the Sands.
Ironically this year’s swimming was probably the most pleasant ever because of the mild temperatures.
Past years have seen shivering, goose-puffed swimmers brave sub-zero temperatures. They had to be covered in foil “suits” when they came out of the water to keep them from getting frostbitten or even hypothermia.
Today, Torpoint and Rame Peninsula Lions announced the sad news. This seems to be the most sensible and safest option.
Firestone Freezer’s organizers at Firestone Bay in Plymouth said the event’s spirit wouldn’t have survived if it had been cancelled.