April was by far the warmest April on record in England; the average central England temperature (CET) was the highest in 353 years of records. The month was outstanding for sustained warmth, and was one of the sunniest and driest Aprils on record. This March and April have been the driest in England and Wales since 1938. Parts of eastern England had hardly any rain during this period.
Temperatures
Mean maximum temperature for April ranged from 19.8C at St James's Park, London, to 9.8C at Fair Isle, Northern Isles. Daytime temperatures were as much as 5C above average in East Anglia and south-east England. The average central England temperature of 11.9C was the highest for April in the entire CET record, breaking a record set as recently as 2007 by the wide margin of 0.7C. The highest temperature was 27.8C at Wisley, Surrey, on 23 April, the highest April temperature in the UK since 1949.
Rainfall
The first week was dominated by strong south-westerly winds. Prolonged rain affected the western Highlands of Scotland, the Lake District and Snowdonia. Thereafter, all areas were exceptionally dry. Rainfall averaged over England and Wales was 13mm, 21% of the average for 1971-2000; during the last 100 years only five Aprils were drier. The wet start to the month in Scotland meant that it was less dry there, though rainfall was still mostly below average. There was a huge contrast between the wettest and driest locations; totals ranged from 206mm at Tyndrum, Stirlingshire, to a mere 1mm in Northampton.
Sunshine
Sunshine averaged over England and Wales during April was 234 hours, which is 15o% of the 1971-2000 mean, and the highest since 2007. In the last 100 years, only three Aprils were sunnier. The equivalent figures for Scotland were 195 hours and 132%, and for Northern Ireland 198 hours and 123%. The highest sunshine total in the UK was 270 hours at Thorney Island in Hampshire, and the lowest was just 130 hours at Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.