UK Easter Sunday to rank among warmest on record

By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

Most of the United Kingdom will enjoy dry and warm weather on Easter Sunday with some records to be challenged.

Warmth will continue to dominate the United Kingdom through the long holiday weekend, much to delight of those competing in egg hunts or other outdoor festivities.

Whilst some coastal communities can remain cooler, highs will range from the lower 20s C (68-75 F) in southern England, 18-21 C (65-70 F) in northern England and Wales, 17-19 C (62-66 F) in Northern Ireland and southern Scotland and 13-19 C (55-66 F) in northern Scotland.

With this holiday occurring late in the calendar year, Easter 2019 already has an advantage to be one of the warmest on record.

The fact that temperatures are expected to climb 6 to 9 degrees Celsius (11 to 16 degrees Fahrenheit) above normal throughout the U.K. will put Easter Sunday record highs in jeopardy.

Regardless of whether records are set, this Easter will be a dramatic change over the chilly weather endured last year when high temperatures were held below 10 C (50 F) throughout the U.K. Rain will further put a damper on the holiday.

This Easter Sunday, sunglasses and sun cream will be needed for outdoor festivities across the southern U.K. Bright sunshine will help to boost temperatures well above normal.

Cloudy spells will be seen across northern parts of Wales and England, as well as Northern Ireland and southern Scotland, but dry weather will hold.

Rainy spells and the need for brollies will be confined to northern Scotland.

The warm weather will hold through the Easter Monday bank holiday. The northern U.K. will enjoy more sunny spells than on Sunday, while residents across Wales and southern England notice an increase in cloud cover.

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An odd shower or thunderstorm cannot be ruled out over parts of Wales and South West England in the afternoon.

The long-holiday weekend will end with the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower on Monday night.

Cloud may hinder skygazers across the western U.K., while there should be enough clear breaks in the east for residents to catch at least a glimpse of the meteor shower.

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