The UK has recorded its warmest day of the year so far, with temperatures soaring to 24°C (75.2°F) in Northolt, northwest London, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. This follows a week of unusually warm and dry weather, which has seen temperatures well above the April average. On Thursday, April 10, Scotland and Northern Ireland experienced their warmest day of the year, with Aboyne hitting 23°C (73.4°F) and Castlederg reaching 22°C (72°F). The warm weather continued on Friday, when Wales recorded its joint highest temperature of 2025 at 22.4°C in Usk, Monmouthshire.
Interestingly, the last time temperatures reached 24°C or higher was on September 21, 2024, when Cambridge recorded 25.4°C (77.7°F). Despite the recent warmth, it still falls short of the record for the warmest April temperature, which is 29.4°C in London set back in 1949.
As people across the UK enjoyed the sunshine, they were also warned about "very high" pollen levels due to Birch and Ash tree pollen. The Met Office reported that large parts of England and Wales have been experiencing these elevated pollen counts over the weekend of April 12-13, 2025. Hay fever sufferers have been advised to remember their antihistamines as they venture outdoors.
However, a significant change in the weather is expected. As high pressure moves eastward, it will allow weather fronts from the west to approach the UK. By Saturday night, cloud and rain are forecast to sweep across the country, ushering in a fresher Sunday with temperatures expected to range from 11°C to 18°C. While many areas will see light and patchy rain, some regions may escape the showers altogether.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly explained, “A change is on the way this weekend, as we say goodbye to the wall-to-wall sunshine. High pressure sinks southwards and allows low pressure to take hold, bringing more cloud, rain and showers, and also lower temperatures.” He noted that showers would be most frequent in the west and northwest, where they could be heavy, potentially bringing isolated thunderstorms and hail.
In Aboyne, the temperature difference on Thursday reached an impressive 26°C, showcasing the significant diurnal range typical of spring. Interestingly, some areas in southern England haven't seen appreciable rainfall since March 23, 2025, contributing to the dry conditions.
April has already proven to be particularly sunny. The first ten days of the month have seen over 100 hours of sunshine in most regions, with some areas experiencing 80-85% of their monthly average sunshine in just one-third of the month. March 2025 was also notable, being the sunniest on record for England and the third sunniest for the UK since records began in 1910.
As the UK braces for a shift in weather, the forecast suggests that pollen levels will remain "very high" in London, the Midlands, and the southeast until at least Wednesday, April 16, when they are expected to drop to "high" or "moderate" levels. In northern England and Wales, pollen counts will decrease from Sunday onwards, while Scotland and Northern Ireland will see levels return to "moderate".
The recent warm spell has led to heightened concerns about wildfires, with the London Fire Brigade warning that the risk is elevated due to the dry vegetation and low rainfall. LFB Assistant Commissioner Thomas Goodall stated, “The risk of wildfires in London currently is heightened and this risk increases with every day that passes without rainfall.”
So far this year, at least 286 wildfires have been recorded in the UK, significantly more than the same period last year. In fact, the number of calls received by the London Fire Brigade last weekend was 48% higher than the same weekend in 2024.
As we move further into April, weather historians note that a dry, sunny spring does not necessarily predict a wet summer. Philip Eden, a weather historian, has suggested a potential link, but most experts remain cautious. The spring of 2020, for instance, was the sunniest on record, yet the following summer was wetter and duller.
Looking ahead, the BBC Weather longer-range forecast indicates a possibility of a short cold spell in May 2025, suggesting that temperatures for the spring as a whole may level out closer to average. Rainfall amounts are expected to be near to below average overall, with April likely to be the driest month. The changeable and unsettled weather is set to continue into the Easter bank holiday weekend, with temperatures settling into the low to mid-teens in Celsius.
As families prepare for Easter activities, many are hoping for a break in the rain. The prospect of drizzly weather looms, with showers and longer spells of rain expected to persist through the holiday weekend. While the recent warmth has been a welcome change, the return to more typical April conditions is on the horizon.
In summary, the UK's recent warm spell has brought both joy and challenges, particularly for those affected by pollen allergies. As the weather shifts, the focus will be on how the changing conditions impact both the environment and the health of the population.
