METEOROLOGICAL data from the University of Reading has confirmed that Reading saw its earliest 25-degree day on record last week.
On Wednesday, April 8, Atmospheric Observatory data showed the maximum screen temperature reached 25.0°C at the University of Reading.
The ‘screen’ temperature refers to methods used in temperature observation, with the screen referring to the housing that instruments are positioned in, protecting them from direct heat radiation.
This means there is a standardised environment for sensitive instruments to take accurate data.
Research from the university has also shown that the UK is nearly 2°C (1.7) warmer than it was a century ago, creating a warmer base-level for any given day, as a result of climate change.
The National Centre for Atmospheric Science has also reported that the spring season in the UK is around 1.3°C warmer on average than it was in the 1970s.
As climate change continues to intensify, it also leads to a so-called weather ‘whiplash’, where the water cycle of rain and evaporation intensifies.
This means that water is evaporated more quickly–leading to drier spells in the summer–but also that more moisture therefore accumulates, leading to heavier rain in wetter spells.
Further research from the University of Reading, released earlier this year, shows that even when rainfall is comparatively high during the winter, a warmer spring still increases soil evaporation.
This in turn leads to more prominent and more frequent droughts.
Dr Stephen Burt, Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading, said: “Our records began in 1908, and this is the earliest such date on which 25 °C has been attained, by more than a week.
“The previous earliest date to reach or exceed 25 °C was 16 April, which coincidentally was attained in four previous years, namely in 1943, 1945, 1949, and 2003.
“We don’t normally see a day reaching 25 °C until the second half of May.
“This follows overnight air frost (-0.4 °C) on Tuesday morning, and grass temperature below -5 °C on both Monday and Tuesday mornings.”
