It’s a blue heaven! Carpet of colourful flowers sends spirits soaring amid the gloom with a mini-heatwave on the way as temperatures bounce back to 70F tomorrow
- Lots of sun and rain last summer has helped bulbs soak up nutrition, say experts
- They have come into bloom a fortnight early in areas from South Coast to Surrey
- Flowers such as clematis are also expected to benefit from settled conditions
- Temperatures are also set to hit 70F tomorrow – hotter than Mediterranean cities
They put on a stunning display every spring and this year bluebells are definitely helping to lift the nation’s spirits.
The fragrant carpets of flowers in Britain’s woodlands are providing a tranquil haven for many taking their daily permitted walk.
Experts say lots of sun and rain last summer helped the bulbs soak up plenty of nutrition.
Wood larks: Cockapoo Cookie in Peterborough. The bluebells should be in flower for two to three weeks, said Guy Barter, chief horticulturalist for the Royal Horticultural Society
They have come into bloom up to a fortnight early in areas from the South Coast to Surrey, London to Cambridgeshire, while bluebells are just beginning to flower in areas such as Derbyshire and Yorkshire.
Guy Barter, chief horticulturalist for the Royal Horticultural Society, said: ‘The bluebells are certainly putting on a good display.’
They should be in flower for two to three weeks, he said, adding that fruit trees are also producing wonderful blossom.
Other flowers expected to benefit from the settled conditions are meadow orchids, clematis and rhododendrons.
Around half of the world’s bluebells are found in the UK. They are a protected species – it is illegal to pick, uproot or destroy them and walkers are urged to stick to paths rather than wander through the flowers.
Everly Fidler, four, in Surrey yesterday. Other flowers expected to benefit from the settled conditions are meadow orchids, clematis and rhododendrons
…And mini-heatwave is on its way as UK is set to enjoy 70F temperatures and put Rome in the shade
By Richard Marsden for the Daily Mail
Temperatures are set to reach 21C (70F) tomorrow – hotter than Mediterranean cities – as the chilly start to the week is left behind.
Parts of the South and North Wales are predicted to beat highs of 17C (63F) in Athens and 20C (68F) in Rome.
The welcome burst of spring sunshine comes after widespread frosts last night and on Monday.
But it is not expected to be as warm as Easter weekend when 25.5C (77.9F) was recorded in St James’s Park, central London, on Saturday – the warmest day of the year so far.
Both today and tomorrow are set to be mostly dry and sunny.
Temperatures are expected to reach highs of 18-19C (64-66F) today inland, but only 14-15C (57-59F) around coastal areas.
Porthmadog in Gwynedd is predicted to enjoy the warmest day tomorrow along with parts of the South. A Met Office spokesman said of today: ‘Following a further cold and frosty start another sunny day follows for the majority.’
Tomorrow is set to be the warmest day of the week. The highest temperatures are likely to be in sheltered locations, with figures of 17-19C (63-66F) elsewhere.
Experts say the fine and settled weather is being caused by a dominant area of high pressure.
But a weak weather front is set to drift across the country into Friday, bringing showers – and pegging temperatures back.
Forecasters say Friday is likely to see highs of 17C (63F) in the South and 14C (57F) in the North. However, next week will bring the return of fine weather. The Met Office said: ‘The weather is due to remain mostly fine and dry on Saturday with many places seeing sunny spells once early mist patches clear.
‘It will be generally warm, but cooler in the breeze. Looking further ahead, settled conditions seem likely to continue for much of the country with some good spells of sunshine and dry weather. Temperatures should be above average for most, but there is still the risk of the odd isolated frost in rural areas by night.’ The fine weather means pollen counts will be high today and tomorrow.