Britain is set for another scorcher today as April’s summer-like weather promises a balmy beginning to the weekend.
Yesterday was the hottest April day for nearly 70 years, with temperatures reaching a sensational 29.1C (84F) in St James’ Park in London.
Today’s highs are likely to be around 28C (82F) in the South East, the Met Office said, with most parts enjoying warmer conditions than normal for the time of year.
Met Office meteorologist, Alex Burkill, said: ‘It’s going to be pretty hot again tomorrow, with a lot of sunshine around.
‘We will see highs of 26C, 27C and maybe 28C in the London area. Low 20s are likely for much of England and Wales, while Northern Ireland and eastern Scotland will see temperatures in the high teens.’
Britain is set for another scorcher today as April’s summer-like weather promises a balmy beginning to the weekend. Pictured is the sun rising on the Thames near Gravesend in Kent
The sun rises on the Thames behind Tugs and other small boats this morning, near Gravesend, Kent
Today’s highs are likely to be around 28C (82F) in the South East, the Met Office said, with most parts enjoying warmer conditions than normal for the time of year
All four home nations enjoyed their hottest day of the year so far, with everywhere seeing a high of at least 20C (68F) on Thursday.
The hot weather, which is a result of warm air moving up from the Azores in the south, is set to last into the weekend.
The London Marathon is forecast to be the hottest yet, with a high of 23C (73F) possible, beating the 1996 record of 22.7C (72.9F).
Mr Burkill said: ‘It’s going to be very hot and humid, and very close to, if not breaking the record.’
Race organisers have announced they will add more water, ice and shower stations along the 26.2-mile route.
Conditions may be especially difficult for fancy-dress runners, including the almost 100 attempting Guinness World Records dressed in outfits like a suit of armour, a Paddington Bear costume and ski boots.
Regular runners are being advised to consider dropping their goal times and to run more slowly.
The hot weather, which is a result of warm air moving up from the Azores in the south, is set to last into the weekend. Pictured is a heat map for today
Event director Hugh Brasher said: ‘The weather forecast for Sunday is currently predicting the hottest London Marathon on record at around 23 degrees Celsius.
‘The previous highest temperature on Raceday was 22.2 degrees Celsius in 1996 and 2007. We will continue to monitor the forecast closely as we all know that weather forecasts can change.
‘Our contingency plans for the forecast hot weather on Sunday include increasing the supply of water to all drinks stations to enable runners to douse themselves with water, increasing the number of showers on the route and increasing the supply of ice to first aid stations on the route.
‘Most importantly, runners should adjust their goal for Sunday and plan to run at a slower pace. If they were planning to run in fancy dress, they should think carefully if that is appropriate in the forecast conditions.’
Air pollution levels are high in parts of the South and East, and moderate in parts of the North, The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs said.
People with asthma or lung and heart problems, as well as the elderly, are advised to reduce exercise levels in high pollution areas to reduce health risks, DEFRA guidance said.
Pollution from factories, power stations and vehicle fumes worsens pollution from the continent.
DEFRA said: ‘Today has the chance of localised high pollution levels near east coasts of England, with isolated pockets also possible in busy urban areas in southern and eastern England.
‘Areas of moderate air pollution are expected across southern parts of the UK, with more isolated moderate levels in the North, mainly close to coasts.
‘This is due to continental air flow.’
DEFRA guidance for high air pollution said: ‘Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, should reduce strenuous physical exertion, particularly outdoors.
‘People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often.
‘Older people should also reduce physical exertion.
‘Anyone experiencing discomfort such as sore eyes, cough or sore throat should consider reducing activity, particularly outdoors.’
Around 29,000 Britons are killed annually by air pollution – 15 times more than the 2,000 who die in road accidents – Department of Health-backed research shows.
Supermarket chiefs are stockpiling beer, cider and sun cream as the min-heatwave sweeps in.
Sainsbury’s predict a 300 per cent rise in demand for sun cream and a 100 per cent increase in sales of fake tan over the next couple of days – so punters can look ready-bronzed in the sunshine.
They also estimate 70 per cent more sales of beer and cider, a 30 per cent uplift in Rosé wine and a 150 per cent increase in demand for ice cream.
And as the BBQ gets dusted down for the first time this year, the supermarket believes sales of vegan and vegetarian food will soar by 130 per cent.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: ‘It seems the whole country has been eagerly awaiting the warmer weather, and we’re expecting our customers to celebrate the return of sunshine by bronzing with fake tan, cooling down with ice cream and firing up the barbecue.’
Tesco BBQ meat range buyer Natalie Bastow said: ‘After months of rain and with temperatures set to hit 25C plus this will be the first real opportunity Brits have had this year to get out into the garden and enjoy a BBQ with family and friends.
‘Shoppers are wasting no time in stocking up for what is set to be a great few days of fun with al fresco cooking for a change.’
More than 8 million sausages, 2 million burgers and nearly 2 million chicken drumsticks are expected to fly off Tesco’s shelves.
Nearly 1.5 million punnets of raspberries, 3 million ice lollies and 1.5million tubs of icecream will also be downed.
Waitrose said it has already seen sales of sun cream increase by almost 400 per cent and self tanning up 241 per cent yesterday versus the same time last year.