Warm, wet January beats record - News - The Independent

Roy Hodgson for England: A club of one

To argue against Harry Redknapp for England is akin to arguing in favour of bankers bonuses. While s...

Time for a reality check on the Sri Lankan civil war

Sri Lanka, much like Britain, has side-lined accountability long enough.

Children Of Alcoholics week: One million children may just be the tip of the iceberg

Children Of Alcoholics week starts today. So, what are the aims for Nacoa during this important week...

Review of Being Human: ‘Being Human 1955’

Following on from an episode tinged with tragedy, this week lifted the mood with something lighter.

UNSEASONABLY warm weather over southern England yesterday brought London its warmest January day since records began more than 150 years ago.

In the early afternoon the temperature on the roof of the London Weather Centre reached 15.7C - just over 60F. The previous record was 15.2C, set in 1940, while a temperature of 15.6C was recorded at Kensington Palace in 1922. The record goes back to 1841.

Meanwhile, heavy rains caused chaos and flood alerts in parts of the north-west.

Other parts of the south were also very warm, with Gravesend in Kent reporting an afternoon temperature of 15.9C and Bournemouth one of 13.8C.

The mild weather has been caused by warm air from the Azores flooding into Britain behind a cold front which has been stationary over the north of the country for several days.

But last night rain and colder air was coming in from the west.

The record temperatures yesterday could not be attributed to global warming, said a spokesman for the Met Office.

Most Viewed
Most Commented
Most Shared

SPONSORED FEATURES

Free trial of new Independent iPad app

Get your daily dose of the best of British journalism, sponsored by American Airlines

Atlantic Canada Posh Nosh Prizes & offers

Business videos

Win a three-week coastal jaunt

Spend three weeks exploring every nook and cranny of gorgeous Atlantic Canada.

iPad app Posh Nosh Prizes & offers

Business videos

Amazing restaurant offers

Three glasses of free champagne and a special menu at 46 top London restaurants.

iPad app Atlantic Canada Prizes & offers

Business videos

Latest Independent competitions

Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.

iPad app Atlantic Canada Posh Nosh

Business videos

Commercial thought leaders

Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.

iPad app Atlantic Canada Posh Nosh

Prizes & offers

Picture preview: Lucian Freud drawings

Lucian Freud drawings

Picture preview

Silent revolution at the Baftas as the French take top awards

Silent revolution at the Baftas

The Artist wins in seven categories, with Meryl Streep the other big success story

Whitney Houston: The diva who had – and lost – it all

The diva who had – and lost – it all

Nick Hasted charts the highs and lows of Whitney Houston's life

How Picasso won over (some of) the British

How Picasso won over (some of) the British

Winston Churchill and Evelyn Waugh hated his work, but Picasso provided inspiration for a whole generation of UK artists

Topshop: A Decade Of Design

Topshop: A Decade Of Design

When London Fashion Week starts on Friday, Topshop will celebrate 10 years backing its brightest young stars

John Prescott: 'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

At 73, John Prescott isn't mellowing. In fact he's taking a shot at becoming a police commissioner

Jim Gamble: We are losing the race to protect our young

Jim Gamble: We are losing the race to protect our young

Technology and the children who use it won't wait for slow-moving child-protection services and police to catch up

Sarah Sands: A friend is not the one you turn to, but the person who turns to you

Sarah Sands on friendship

A friend is not the one you turn to, but the person who turns to you

Andy Burnham: 'It's a genie out of the bottle moment'

Andy Burnham interview

'It's a genie out of the bottle moment'

Leveson: What we've learnt so far

Leveson: What we've learnt so far

Ingenious hacks, shifty editors and attacks of Sudden Memory Loss Syndrome – Matthew Bell assesses the state of play at the Royal Courts of Justice

Modern lovers: The 'sexual body warriors' and pioneers transforming 21st-century relationships

Modern lovers: The 'sexual body warriors'

Sarah Morrison meets the people redefining love in the 21st century.

'I was angry, so angry': How heartbreak, betrayal and Su Pollard helped Estelle find pop success

Estelle: 'I was angry, so angry'

The singer talks about heartache, betrayal and bouncing back.

Choc tactics: Bill Granger's Valentine's recipes for chocoholics

Bill Granger's Valentine's recipes for chocoholics

Should it be white, milk or plain? Can you make a melt-in-the-mouth pudding without using any?

Male, pale & stale: Could more women on the board help Mothercare – and other ailing firms?

Male, pale & stale

Could more women on the board help Mothercare – and other ailing firms?

Upstairs, downstairs, 2012-style

Upstairs, downstairs, 2012-style

There are now more domestic workers in Britain than in Edwardian times