Britain is set to bask in the hottest April day for seven years next week as an ‘African plume’ brings highs of 26C across the UK.
The toasty temperatures have sparked safety fears for London marathon runners who may collapse as the mercury rises to the highest levels seen during the event since 2007.
In both 2007 and 1996 temperatures peaked at 22.2C, which meant hundreds of runners collapsed and more than 5,000 were treated by officials for heat-related illnesses.
More than 50,000 people are expected to take part in this year’s 26.2mile run, many of whom will have been training over the wetter than usual winter and may not be used to running in the heat.
An ‘African plume’ is set to bring highs of 26C across the UK next week, sparking safety fears for those taking part in the London marathon
The hottest London marathons on record took place in both 1996 and 2007 when temperatures hit 22.2C – leading to hundreds of runners collapsing (pictured, a runner being helped to the finished line in 2007)
A 1,500mile wide front of hot air originating in north Africa will be bringing the hotter temperatures, arriving on Monday before increasing later on in the week.
The African plume differs to the Spanish plume the UK experienced last summer which brought with it temperatures of 25C. A Spanish plume is caused by cool Atlantic air being pushed towards Spain, which in turn pushes warm Spanish air towards the UK, bringing with it hot humid weather.
Hugh Brashner, Virgin Money London Marathon event director, said: ‘We monitor the weather forecast for Race Day very closely. It is too soon for any weather forecast to be accurate.
‘We have a number of contingency plans in place in case of hot weather and we will be sending advice to runners and spectators later in the week’.
Last year saw temperatures hit 25C making it the hottest April day for seven years.
The warm weather forecast comes despite a dreary and wet start to Sunday, with vast swathes of the UK experiencing cloudier and cooler weather with a strengthening breeze.
Showers are forecast across parts of the South West and Wales and will be pushed eastwards as the day goes on. Temperatures are down on yesterday’s highs of 19C, with most of the UK enjoying temperatures between 12C and 14C.
Any remaining rain will clear away northwards by Monday, with a dry day for most with some sunny spells. Temperatures will remain fairly similar to Sunday, but further rain and strong winds, particularly in coastal areas, will arrive across the far west by the evening.
A distinct divide will begin to occur between the south and the east, in comparison to the north and the west. Wet and windy weather is forecast for the north and west while the south and the east will be drier and warmer.
Come Thursday, Mediterranean and Spanish winds will be pushing over the UK, bringing with it much warmer air that spans a 1,500 mile radius ‘African plume’.
A cold and wet Lyme Regis was nearly deserted except for dog walkers and the occasional runner as the wet weather returned on Sunday
Dogwalkers and runners braved the wet weather in Lyme Regis, Dorset yesterday
Two forecasters chat on the beach in Lyme Regis this morning after wet weather rained down on the seaside town
People tended to stay away from the seaside today after the bad weather washed over Lyme Regis
Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell told MailOnline the rain will be followed by a ‘gradual improvement’ during the week with highs on Monday similar to those on Saturday, though there could still be wet weather in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Temperatures could reach 70 to 73F (21 to 23C) by Tuesday or Wednesday, he said, with the warmest weather predicted north-west of London and in the Midlands thanks to warm air coming in from the continent.
Craig Snell, from the Met Office, added: ‘Low pressure to the west and high pressure to the east means we’re importing warmer as we go into next week, helped by the increase in sunshine.
‘Next week looks pretty promising if you want some warmer weather. It looks pretty dry for most of the working week in England and Wales. It’s a first warm spell of weather.’
Windsor Castle in the hazy sunshine taken from the top of The Air Forces Memorial Building, in Runnymede, Surrey, on Saturday
A person takes part in some water sports in Southend as he takes advantage of a sunny Saturday to go outside today
Members of the public take advantage of the sunshine and warm weather to spend time on the beach in Brighton and Hove
People are pictured enjoying the sunshine today at the Air Forces Memorial building in Runnymede, Surrey, on Saturday
Tourists and Londoners enjoyed warm spring sunshine in St James Park in Westminster with more sunny weather expected
People sat on the grass with deckchairs in St James Park in Westminster as they enjoyed a day of sunny weather in London
Two people were pictured in a boat on the Serpentine in the spring sunshine in Hyde Park, west London, on Saturday afternoon
Cyclists were spotted riding in the spring sunshine in Hyde Park, as temperatures reached a new 2018 high in London on Saturday
People relaxed on the grass in Hyde Park as they enjoyed warm weather, with even higher temperatures expected next week
People sat by the water’s edge in Hyde Park, London, as they take advantage of a warm Saturday to go outdoors this afternoon