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UK hit by frostiest April on record, farmers and growers reporting considerable damage

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Provisional records for April 2021 show the United Kingdom has experienced the most air frosts since records began in 1960, the UK Met Office reported Tuesday, April 27, 2021. This month has already seen an average of 13 days of air frosts for the country, with many farmers and growers reporting considerable damage due to the harsh conditions.

This month has already recorded an average of 13 days of air frosts, topping the 11 days set in April 1970.

As of Tuesday, April 27, England has seen frost for 12 days, Wales 11 days, and Scotland 16 days– their frostiest April since record-keeping began in 1960. Northern Ireland has so far experienced 8 days of frost, not yet surpassing their record of 11 days set in April 1983.

"We’ve been seeing a high frequency of frosts overnight throughout April thanks largely to persistent clear skies for most," said Mark McCarthy from the National Climate Information Center.

"This will be reflected at the end of the month statistics, which are already showing above-average sunshine duration, as well as low minimum temperature readings overnight, with some parts of northern England and Scotland reporting minimum temperatures 3.5 °C (6.3 °F) lower than the average for April."

Many farmers and growers have reported considerable damage due to the harsh conditions.

"Considerable damage has been experienced in many gardens with flowers such as camellia and magnolias being scorched, and cherry, plum, and pear blossom injured so that the fruit crop will be reduced," Chief Horticulturist at the Royal Horticultural Society Guy Barter said.

The risk of frost is expected to persist throughout the week. Gardeners are advised to keep tender plants indoors or cover them with horticultural fleece.

"As April draws to a close, cloud and showers will continue to move from northern Scotland south across the country," the Met Office said.

"There will be rain or showers at times for many, which is likely to be welcomed by many farmers and gardeners after a dry April so far. However, as is the nature of showers, there will also be some good dry and sunny spells so it’s by no means a washout."

Featured image credit: Flickr

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3 Comments

  1. It was funny when the pubs opened for outdoor drinking after the lockdown (in the middle of April) as it was sunny but freezing. I walked past a table with four girls on, they were drinking white wine out of a ice tub…didn’t need the ice to keep the wine cold…………

  2. All over the world there are reports of colder than usual weather. But all that we hear about on BBC / Sky News is global warming. Anybody else think this is a bit strange?

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