22-05-2025
Swimmers enjoy warm seas in Cornwall and Devon after dry spring
Swimmers are enjoying unusually warm seas around Devon and Cornwall because of the driest spring in decades.
Temperatures of UK waters have risen by as much as 4C after sunny weather and weak winds created the 'ideal conditions for warming'.
Scientists at the National Oceanography Centre and Met Office said some areas are much warmer than normal for this time of year.
Sea temperatures in April and the first half of May were the highest for that time of year since monitoring began 45 years ago and at a level to be expected in mid-June.
Scientists at the Met Office said the marine heatwave, most notable in the west of Ireland, was the result of 'dry, sunny spring' and 'weak winds and waves'. This means the sea started to warm a month earlier than normal, in mid-February.
A warm layer at the ocean's surface acts like a lid, trapping heat near the surface and preventing it from mixing into deeper, cooler waters.
Dr Segolene Berthou, from the Met Office, said this acts like a layer of olive oil floating in water and allows the heat from the sun to accumulate near the surface – perfect for swimmers.
According to the Met Office, marine heatwaves in UK waters usually last between two and four weeks. They are defined as sea temperatures that exceed the seasonal threshold for more than five consecutive days.
The entire west coast of the UK is now about 2.5C above average, with a large portion of Scottish waters 2-3C warmer than usual for the time of year.
Marine heatwaves more frequent
Dr Jonathan Tinker, a marine climate scientist, said: 'With projections suggesting UK summer sea temperatures could rise by up to 2.5C by 2050, such events are likely to become more frequent, intense and longer-lasting.
'Marine heatwaves offer a glimpse into how changing ocean conditions could shape future weather conditions.'
There are concerns about the impact these temperature changes could have on marine life.
However, upcoming cooler weather and strong winds are expected to ease the heatwave and bring water temperatures back down.
It comes as the Met Office warned a tornado could hit parts of Britain following the driest start to spring in 60 years.
The Environment Agency had previously warned of the risk of drought this summer without sustained rainfall, with millions of households told they may face a potential hosepipe ban.
On Wednesday, West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service confirmed a house fire had been caused by a lightning strike in stormy weather.
Pictures show firefighters battling a blaze at the address in Fittleworth, near Chichester, West Sussex.
Six fire engines were deployed to the scene, where crews wore breathing equipment to tackle the flames in the roof of the home although no injuries were reported.
