There has been widespread coverage of the April climate statistics following what has been the warmest and 11th driest April on record. The Met Office appeared on the BBC One, Six and Ten O’Clock News as well as the News Channel, BBC Radio Four 6 O’Clock News and the ITV News.   The effects of the dry and warm weather have been felt in some areas with many news channels reporting on the heathland and moorland fires in the UK and on the impacts of the fine weather on farming.

The Met Office is working closely with the Environment Agency and water companies regarding water resources and is also working with the National Farmers Union on the current spell of dry weather, its impacts and the weather in the coming weeks.

The Met Office is also working closely with a number of Fire and Rescue services across the UK, helping them with forecasts of wind and weather to support their continued efforts of bringing the wildfires under control. Breezy weather over the last few days has hampered efforts, but winds are now gradually easing and this will help the firefighters in their efforts.

The impacts of weather have been recorded in business as well with Thornton’s reporting that the fine weather has negatively affected business, while conversely the fine spring weather has boosted sales at Next. The weather is known to impact retail business and the Met Office offers a range of services to support the retail sector manage the weather.