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April weather set to break record April weather set to break record
(20 minutes later)
The UK Met Office has released figures showing that this month is set to be the warmest April since records began in England more than 300 years ago.The UK Met Office has released figures showing that this month is set to be the warmest April since records began in England more than 300 years ago.
The data has been complied from observations that go into the Central England Temperature record.The data has been complied from observations that go into the Central England Temperature record.
This series, which dates back to 1659, is the world's longest running temperature series.This series, which dates back to 1659, is the world's longest running temperature series.
The provisional mean figure for April 2007 is 11.1C - that is 3.2C above the long-term average.The provisional mean figure for April 2007 is 11.1C - that is 3.2C above the long-term average.
Meteorologists say in addition, the 12-month rolling period ending in April 2007 is also set to be the warmest on record - nearly 2C above the long-term average for the period.Meteorologists say in addition, the 12-month rolling period ending in April 2007 is also set to be the warmest on record - nearly 2C above the long-term average for the period.
The past 12 months have seen a number of temperature records being broken.The past 12 months have seen a number of temperature records being broken.
Last July became the UK's warmest month, recording an average night and day temperature of 17.8C (64F). Last July became the UK's warmest month on record, experiencing an average night and day temperature of 17.8C (64F).
In February, the Met Office announced that the nation had experienced its second warmest winter on record. In February, forcasters announced that the nation had experienced its second warmest winter on record.
Tim Sparks, from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, said the below-average rainfall was causing concern.
"It has not been the month of showers," he told BBC News. "If it is this dry in April, it does not bode well for the summer.
"Shallow root species will be especially vulnerable if we do have a dry summer."
Dr Debbie Hemming, a climate scientist at the Met Office's Hadley Centre, said temperature rises were being experienced on a global scale.
"Many of the regions that are projected to experience the largest climate changes are already vulnerable to environmental stress," she observed.