- Britain recorded its hottest day in the first half of April for 80 years on Wednesday, with temperatures reaching 26.6C in Kew Gardens, south-west London.
- The Met Office confirmed this was the highest temperature in the UK during the first half of April since 1946, surpassing previous records for the year.
- Despite the high temperatures, the Met Office stated the conditions do not meet the official definition of a heatwave, which requires sustained high temperatures over several days.
- The warm spell, which began on Monday, is expected to end on Thursday with cooler, showery weather moving across the UK.
- Water safety charity Royal Life Saving Society UK issued a warning about the increased risk of accidental drowning during warm weather, highlighting that water temperatures remain very cold.
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