UK meteorologists confirm April as sunniest on record

There was an average of 224.5 hours of sunshine last month

The sun rises in the Firth of Forth near Kirkcaldy, Fife, on 27 April, 2020. (Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

UK meteorologists have confirmed that April was the sunniest on record, beating the previous record from April 2015.

The Met Office said that the UK had an average of 224.5 hours of sunshine last month, compared with 211.9 hours in April 2015.

Despite the cold end to the month, temperatures averaged 1.7C above the norm, making it the fifth warmest April on record.

It was also dry, with rain levels falling 40 per cent below the usual rate for the month across the UK.

Alex Burkill, a meteorologist at the Met Office, told The Independent that the UK should expect more good weather this week.

After some cold spells overnight — with temperatures reaching lows of -4C in the Yorkshire Dales and parts of Scotland — warm temperatures will return on Wednesday.

Mr Burkill said: “After a somewhat chilly start, it’s going to be a warm day with plenty of sunshine and lots of blue skies.”

He added that temperatures could reach more than 20C in some parts of the UK, including Scotland.

Looking further ahead, Thursday and Friday are set to be even warmer, with highs both days likely to be around 24C.

The high temperatures will continue in England and Wales on Saturday, while there will be some rain and a drop in temperatures in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

On Sunday, there will be a “marked drop” as cold air sweeps across the UK, reducing temperatures in some places by up to 10 degrees.