England basks while Scotland faces storm warnings

While Gravesend in Kent broke the 26-year record for the highest temperature recorded in the UK in October – at 29.9C – Scotland was preparing to wheel out the sandbags.

The picture was bright across most of England, with northern areas including Humberside and Bradford enjoying temperatures of around 28C. Further south, Brighton’s beaches were packed with sunbathers making the most of the unseasonal heat.

Tourist offices reported a 50 per cent increase in calls from people wanting to visit the area.

In Scotland, however, it was a different story. Much of the country was blanketed in mist and rain yesterday, with flash flood warnings issued for Glasgow.

The Met Office warned that torrential rain is expected to fall on much of the country today and the grim weather will continue into Monday and Tuesday.

Temperatures in Durness in Sutherland dipped to 8C yesterday evening while in Lerwick 9C is expected this evening.

Winds are expected to batter much of Scotland tomorrow, reaching gale force speeds in parts of the west of of the country.

Dave Clark, forecaster for the Met Office in Aberdeen, said: “I’m afraid we’re really looking at 9.9C rather than 29.9C.

“Today, it’s a cloudy picture across the south of Scotland, with rain moving north to affect much of Scotland south of the Great Glen. Monday again we’re looking at outbreaks of rain, and winds which will reach gale force in the west, but strong winds across all parts.”

“Tuesday again, strong to gale force winds will feed showers into the west. These showers will be heavy at times in the north, with the best of any brightness across eastern parts.”

Heavy rain is also forecast for later in the week, with temperatures gradually falling to the low teens later in the week, dipping to 7C at night in Edinburgh, and 8C in Glasgow.

Meanwhile in balmy England, the Royal Horticultural Society said confused plants are flowering again due to the unseasonably warm weather.

Strawberries and rhododendrons were among the species seen blooming at its flagship garden in Surrey – when they were not expected to flower again until next spring.

The cooler, wet conditions of the summer had led to diseases such as downy mildews and potato blight, but these had largely dried up due to the higher temperatures and dry air, the RHS said.