4th February- an early warm day 

The average maximum temperature for early February is generally around 8C, however on the 3^rd February a strong SSW’ly flow pumped some unusually mild air up from the Azores behind a warm front which was meandering across the country, by the 4^th this front was once again moving north. To the south of the front the stratocumulus dissipated and the winter sun made an appearance, after a very mild night in the south of England with temperatures generally not dropping below 10C the day soon warmed up to give an early taste of spring.

The 18C recorded at Gravesend, Kent (a renowned hot spot) was around 10 degrees centigrade above average and as well as being the warmest ever 4^th February this was the earliest 18C recorded since records began- an exceptional record.

Unseasonably High Maxima from other stations on the 3rd /4th February