03/10/2011

Autumn Arrives: Official

Today will see the last of the unseasonable high temperatures, with even frost predicted in Scotland by the end of the current week.

The autumn solstice has already occurred - albeit in the midst of a virtual heat wave last week - as a new record temperature for October of 29.4C (84.92F) was set yesterday.

Now, the British climate is slowly getting back to normal with showers looming for parched England and south Wales, which sweltered over the weekend.

The September/October hot weather follows the warmest April since records began and the coldest summer since 1993.

Experts say average temperatures across the country were more than 10C higher than the norm for the end of September.

The weekend past saw many seaside resorts experience an unexpected boost in end-of-season bookings.

Travelodge reported record high bookings for the weekend, with a 'double-digit increase' for Saturday.

Other top destinations were Blackpool, Bournemouth, Brighton, Scarborough, Torquay, Morecambe, Great Yarmouth, Bangor in Wales, Eastbourne and Berwick-upon-Tweed.

But, while today will have highs of 28C possible, a cooler 14C is being forecast for Friday.

Winds are expected to strengthen in northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland on Monday too, which are set to get stronger towards the end of the week.

(BMcC/CD)

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