London - This spring is on course to be the hottest since records began 100 years ago.
And despite the prospect of showers over the next few days, forecasters say there is still no sign of the heavy rain needed to ease near-drought conditions in the South and East of England.
According to Met Office figures, April was the warmest since records began in 1910, while March was warmer than usual.
So if temperatures in the second half of this month remain high, the average temperature of the three months will be around 9.2c (48.6f) - the hottest on record.
Jonathan Powell, senior forecaster at Positive Weather Solutions, said: “This year has seen an exceptional spring, with temperatures and sunshine well above average and rainfall down by a huge amount, fuelling drought worries.”
There is no relief on the way for farmers, who have warned of a harvest disaster after the driest spring since records began.
England and Wales have been averaging 61.3mm of rain since March, while western Suffolk and Cambridgeshire have seen just 10mm.
Rivers and reservoirs are lower than normal across the country.
In East Anglia the soil is as hard as concrete, while in Essex some farmers have seen just half an inch of rain since February.
These parched conditions have sparked fears of hosepipe bans and forest fires.
In addition, the cost of basic foods such as bread is set to rise for millions of families because of drought conditions across Europe.
Growers in East Anglia are reporting yields down 25 percent, French wheat is forecast to be down 11.5 percent while German output is likely to be down seven percent. Planting has also been delayed in the US and Canada, trade magazine The Grocer reported.
However, the Environment Agency insists underground water supplies are healthy and that water restrictions are unlikely this summer. In the past few weeks, the South East has seen little rain, while the North West has had plenty of showers.
There is good news for sun-seekers, with forecasters predicting temperatures as high as 24c in the South East and East Anglia by Thursday. Temperatures are also expected to be 20c in these areas for the bank holiday weekend.
Met Office forecaster Helen Chivers said: “South-easterly winds will bring warmer air from the continent from Tuesday and temperatures will start to rise, certainly to 24c, by Thursday and Friday. It will stay dry in the South.”
The North will have showers, with the Met Office even issuing a severe gale warning for today. Gusts of up to 70mph could batter parts of the country, a spokesman said. - Daily Mail