**Wales Braces for Potentially Hottest April Day on Record as Heatwave Looms**
Wales is set to experience a historic moment in weather history this week, with forecasters predicting that parts of the country could see their hottest April day ever recorded. According to the latest projections from meteorologists, temperatures in the south are expected to soar to heights rarely seen in spring, possibly eclipsing long-standing national records.
Leading the charge in this forecast is BBC meteorologist Derek Brockway, who stated that tomorrow, 30 April, could mark an unprecedented milestone for Welsh weather. Brockway highlighted that the mercury may rise above the historical April record of 26.3°C, which was originally set in 2003. Should conditions play out as expected, Wales could stand alone with its hottest April day since detailed records began.
These unusually high temperatures form part of a broader spell of warm weather being observed across the UK. The Met Office, the nation’s official weather service, has indicated that while much of the country will enjoy sunshine and dry skies, Wales in particular looks set to benefit from the so-called “Spanish plume”, bringing sultry conditions well above seasonal norms. The southeast, including Cardiff, Newport, and Monmouth, is likely to experience the hottest conditions, with temperatures forecast to reach 27°C on Wednesday afternoon.
Elsewhere across Wales, other towns and cities are also expected to bask in the warmth. Western areas such as Pembroke can anticipate highs of 22°C, while northern regions like Ruthin may reach 24°C. Even traditional cooler spots such as Amlwch are predicted to see the thermometer push upwards of 18°C, all run-ups to what could prove to be a historic weather event for the principality.
Looking ahead to Thursday, the warmth is expected to persist. The Met Office has warned that temperatures might approach 30°C in parts of the UK, an occurrence that, if realised, would mark the earliest date in the year on which such a temperature has been recorded since national monitoring began in 1860. Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly commented, “Thursday looks set to be the warmest day of the week, with temperatures climbing notably above the seasonal average. Overnight temperatures will also be unseasonably high in many places, possibly breaking both daytime and overnight records.”
Despite the potential for new records, Met Office experts note that it remains unclear whether official ‘heatwave’ criteria will be met. This is defined by three consecutive days with temperatures above 25°C in some regions. For now, much of the UK is likely to experience an unbroken spell of fine, warm weather, with the notable exception of the far north of Scotland, where showers remain possible.
The broader weather pattern is being driven by a large area of high pressure, which the Met Office says will dominate the nation’s skies for much of the week. This system will stave off rain and allow air from southern Europe to sweep north, bathing the UK in sunshine. Tuesday’s maximum temperatures are already poised to reach 26°C across parts of southern, central, and western England, with little cooling expected overnight – another unusual feature for April.
However, this spell of heat is set to be short-lived. The Met Office anticipates a marked change by Friday, with a drop in temperature and the increasing likelihood of thunderstorms and rain showers. A spokesperson explained, “Temperatures will start to fall from Friday with 25°C being a likely maximum, although values in the southeast may remain higher than this for a time. There is a chance of some showers and possibly even thunderstorms developing as the week draws to a close.”
For the record books, the UK’s highest ever April temperature was logged at 29.4°C in Camden Square, London on 16 April 1949, while the hottest May day peaked at 32.8°C in the same location back in 1922. Forecasters will be watching closely to see if this week’s weather challenges those remarkable benchmarks.
While many will welcome the sudden arrival of summer-like temperatures, experts advise the public to take precautions in the heat and remain aware of rapidly changing conditions, especially as cooler, unsettled weather looks set to return heading into the bank holiday weekend.