Temperatures jump into double figures in first glimpse of sun after big freeze

11 December 2023 , 05:00

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It'll be sunny and bright on Monday in most places (Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)

Temperatures will today rise into double figures for many - finally exceeding the average for this time of the year.

The Met Office anticipates a bright day with sunny spells, a stark contrast to recent days when Storm Elin and Storm Fergus caused chaos for some parts of the UK and Ireland. It'll be short-lived however, as wet and windy conditions will return to the west by Monday evening.

But for the large part, temperatures will remain into the double figures for swathes of the south of England. December typically sees highs of 7C to 9C, but the mercury will hit 12C in Plymouth, Devon, today and should reach 11C in Cardiff and 10C in London.

The Met Office temperature maps show highs of 12C this afternoon (Met Office)

Even in Manchester, which rarely sees temperatures above 6C this time of the year, the mercury is likely to hit at least 8C this afternoon, the Met Office says. It'll be clear across the country too, with the next band of significant rainfall not expected until the early hours of Tuesday when it'll move northeast across the UK. This may cause rush-hour travel disruption tomorrow across Yorkshire and the northeast of England.

But, writing on its website regarding today's forecast, the Met Office says: "Brighter for many on Monday with sunny spells, and lighter winds. However, some cloud and showers in the north and northwest. Wet and windy weather returning in the west later."

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

It is a stark contrast - and respite - to the snowfall Brits saw at the end of last month and the start of December. Schools were forced to close in the southwest of England due to the white stuff last week. Days prior, a -10C Scandinavian freeze descended across almost the entire length of the UK, which led to car crashes and delays to train services.

Since then, Storm Elin and Storm Fergus - named by Met Éireann, the Met Office's sister service in Ireland - tormented the UK and Ireland across two consecutive days. Ireland was worst affected, and homes and cars were severely damaged after a tornado tore through a rural village on Sunday. Emergency services were called to Leitrim Village as high winds flattened trees, ripped a roof off a building and left debris scattered on a street.

Bradley Jolly