New Year’s Eve is set to be the warmest on record days after snow fell across parts of the country at Christmas.
After Sajid Javid announced no further Covid restrictions and with the traditional fireworks cancelled, forecasters are predicting temperatures of up to 16C in London on New Year’s Eve.
People in the UK shared images on social media as they woke up to the rare sight of snow on Christmas morning but “topsy-turvy” conditions mean by Friday temperatures could hit levels usually enjoyed in Spring.
If forecasts are correct, the record 14.8C measured on 2011 New Year’s Eve in Colwyn Bay, north Wales, will be smashed.
The BBC are forecasting the mercury in the capital will hit 16C on New Year’s Eve with some sunny spells developing in the afternoon and less breeze than previous days.
Met Office Meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: “The record is 14.8C on New Year’s Eve and that was in 2011, temperatures look like they’ll be 14 to 15C (57.2-59F) so it is possible that temperatures could be that value.”
Mr Dewhurst said the weather throughout the week will be “on the mild side”, adding: “We’re going to see across the whole of the country, through the rest of this week, temperatures that are above average for this time of year.
“The average temperature in the UK around this time of year should be around 7-8C.
“Going forward, we’re looking at highs of around 12-14C possibly locally 15C in one or two spots, so it’s going to be well above average.
However, Mr Dewhurst warned that Britons will not be basking in unseasonable sun.
“It isn’t going to be blue skies all week,” he said.
“There’s going to be cloud at times as well as strong winds and heavy rain, particularly across the North and the West of the UK.
“This is all being driven by low pressure systems moving across the Atlantic and bringing in the milder air and wet weather.”
