The UK could be set for an “explosion of colour” as warmer conditions bring flowers rapidly into bloom over the next two weeks – but not before temperatures drop following the hottest day of the year so far.
Temperatures at Kew Gardens in London reached 18.6C on Wednesday – the hottest February day since 2019 – with parts of Kent and Suffolk topping 18C.
Some areas experienced higher temperatures than in Spain and Malta – a pleasant change for many after an incredibly wet start to the year.
The highest temperature of 2026 so far was recorded at Kew Gardens in London. Pic: Reuters
However, Sky News meteorologist Dr Christopher England expects it to “turn cooler” from Thursday, due to “a strengthening and increasingly westerly wind” that could bring cloud and rain “to most”.
Dr England noted that “temperatures will remain above average for most”.
But forecasts of mild weather, some sunshine and double-figure daytime temperatures over the next fortnight could lead to colourful spring displays, according to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
Tim Upson, RHS director of gardens and horticulture, said plants such as daffodils, camellias, cyclamen and hyacinths were coming into flower at the charity’s sites due to the warm weather.
Mr Upson predicted there was likely to be a “welcome explosion of colour and new life over the next two weeks”.
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It comes after figures from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology revealed Northern Ireland and parts of the southwest of England had their wettest January on record.
The Environment Agency (EA) has also warned of a risk of so-called groundwater flooding – an “invisible threat” caused by water rising up through the ground following a prolonged period of heavy rainfall – that could persist for months.
