A Welsh town has once again recorded the hottest day in the UK over the weekend. Wales has seen glorious sunshine for more than three weeks and temperatures are set to increase this week, so Porthmadog may well find itself top of that list again.
The Met Office said the mercury in Porthmadog reached 25°C on Sunday making it the hottest place in Britain. And you may have noticed that it is regularly mentioned as Wales' warmest spot. The town also set the record for having the UK's highest temperature for 2023 last Tuesday with 25.1°C.
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Despite being a coastal town, where temperatures are typically lower, Porthmadog's geography is the reason for the consistently high temperatures and its own microclimate.
It was once a thriving port town in the 19th century but now relies heavily on tourists who flock to the area in their droves when the sun shines. And with a small population of a little over 4,000, the town has gained a reputation as a resort for travellers in the know. If you want to find out more about the town, community reporter Christopher Davies spent the day there. Read his account here.
Met Office meteorologist Mark Wilson says: "When the wind comes from the north east Porthmadog gets a lot of shelter. Although it's by the coast it's not really getting a lot of breeze off the sea meaning the temperatures keep rising and rising.
"Thanks to it's geographical location Porthmadog has shelter from high ground, hills and mountains, around it mean it's protected from the north easterly wind."
Mark said there are around 20 to 30 weather stations across Wales that record temperatures. BBC weatherman Derek Brockway said that air flowing over the mountains then sinks and warms, helping to boost the temperature in Porthmadog.
The glorious weather looks set to continue with forecasters predicting several more days of sunshine and temperatures set to rise. The Met Office forecast for Wales this week between Wednesday and Friday this week says: "A lot of strong sunshine each day with temperatures gradually climbing. Winds strengthening and particularly turning gusty along southern coasts. Remaining largely dry."
The long range UK forecast for Friday, June 9 to Sunday, June 18 says: "To begin the period, settled conditions are likely to persist for many. However, it may become cloudier in the southwest, with the chance of some showers or thunderstorms here. It will likely remain cloudy at times along northern and eastern coasts, cloud occasionally moving inland, mainly overnight.
"Some moderate winds around coasts, especially in the southwest where they may become fresh to strong at times. Temperatures generally warm away from the east coast, locally very warm. Later in the period uncertainty increases, however there is a risk of showers or thunderstorms in southern areas of the UK, while northern areas are more likely to hold onto drier conditions. The easterly breeze may ease at times, allowing eastern counties to see a recovery in temperatures. Temperatures generally near to above average."
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