No, we’re not exaggerating, Manchester is genuinely set to be hotter than LA this weekend. Just keep holding on, the summer is well and truly on its way, people.
Unbelievably so, whilst some parts of the country are set to be hit with yellow weather warning-worthy high winds this week – and not too far away from the North West either – courtesy of Storm Kathleen, the city centre and beyond are set to get a much-needed dose of sunshine and warmth.
The temperatures have gradually been creeping up ever since we entered spring but we’re yet to have a properly hot day. However, this Saturday (April 6) it’s projected that Mancs will be able to bask in anywhere between 17-18ºC weather, according to the Met Office.
Far from groundbreaking, obviously, but we’ll absolutely take it.
The Quays always look so lovely in the sun. (Credit: Christine McIntoshvia Flickr)
Not only is this the hottest day we will have had all year thus far, but somehow it’s also higher than LA is set to be this weekend; yes, the actual Los Angeles, California, where it’s pretty much permanent sunshine most of the year.
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While the day might start off cloudy and we’re still expected to see some of the rain from the wider precipitation sweeping across the country, the thermometer isn’t set to go any lower than 10ºC all day and if Apple Weather is to be believed, we might even tip into 19ºC.
And get this, with highs of 17ºC starting from Friday (admittedly with a bit of rain), the sun isn’t expected to set until just before 8pm on the following day.
As mentioned, while much of Northern Island, Scotland as well as the west coast of England and Wales are facing blasts of 70mph winds, down south temperatures could peak to as high as 24ºC.
Take that LA, you can stuff your 15 measly degrees.
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With most of the UK only teetering into the springtime so far and April showers having still made it feel very British and very Manchester, in particular, we really cannot wait for the sun to properly make its return. It feels like it’s been forever.
Sunbathing in beer gardens until the evening is coming soon enough, just you wait.
Featured Images — Christine McIntosh (via Flickr)/Stacey MacNaught (via Flickr)
News
Drivers warned of ‘bad habit’ that could land them with £1,000 fines this winter
Emily Sergeant
Drivers are being warned of a ‘bad habit’ on the roads that could seem them hit with hefty fines as winter rolls around.
Once the temperatures drop, and the days get shorter and darker, fog tends to become a more common weather occurrence around this time of year – but an eye-opening new survey has found that most drivers don’t really how to use their fog lights correctly.
According to guidance from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), fog lights should only be used on British roads when visibility drops below 100 metres, yet the new research by eBay has found that 60% of drivers use their fog lights at the wrong times, and what’s more is that one in 10 say they switch on their fog lights when visibility is less than 300 metres.
48% of drivers who took part in the research admitted that they activate full-beam headlights when it’s dark, regardless of oncoming traffic and other road users.
Drivers are being warned of a ‘bad habit’ that could land them with £1,000 fines this winter / Credit: Nabeel Syed (via Unsplash)
The RAC says these stats reveal a ‘worrying trend’ among motorists, and have warned that these habits could actually means drivers are risking fines of up to £1,000 and three penalty points on their licence.
If the incorrect usage of fog lights wasn’t bad enough as it is, the new research also found that many Brits say they do not stay on-top of regular car maintenance when it comes to car fog lights, either – with just 15% saying they check them every month, and shockingly, 24% stating they’ve never checked them before.
Due to the ongoing issue of headlight glare, in whatever form that may be, The RAC has found that as many as one in four drivers (25%) who find headlights ‘too bright’ are actually driving less as a result.
“Unfortunately for a lot of drivers, the annual onset of darker evenings coincides with another unwelcome arrival – that of overly-bright headlights that they believe make driving more difficult due to dazzle and discomfort,” explained Rod Dennis, who is the Senior Policy Officer at the RAC.
“While most of us have no choice other than to adapt to driving at night more often as the clocks go back, the fact headlight glare is the leading cause of nervousness underlines it’s a problem that needs tackling.
“At the same time, it’s important to remember that brighter headlights can give drivers a better view of the road ahead, so there’s a balance to be struck.”
Featured Image – Robin the Bird (via Unsplash)
News
Police investigation underway following ‘shocking’ arson at Marple Cenotaph on Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
A public appeal for information has been issued after a fire was started near a war memorial in Stockport on Bonfire Night.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is currently investigating after officers were called out around 9:50pm on Bonfire Night (Wednesday 5 November) following reports of a group of males near to the Cenotaph in Marple.
When police arrived at the scene, they found that a fire had been started in a bin and wooden pallets had been set alight – with the ground nearby having been damaged.
Neighbourhood officers in Marple are now investigating and are appealing for information in relation to this incident.
The incident has been described as a reckless act that could have ended with more damage and even serious injury.
“The Cenotaph means a lot to the community and incidents like this are deeply upsetting, particularly at a time when we should be honouring the memory of our war veterans,” explained Sergeant Rachel Walton, of GMP’s Stockport East Neighbourhood Policing Team.
“We are working closely with partners at Stockport Council and the fire service to ensure the area is cleaned and restored.
“We want to identify the individuals responsible, and we will have extra high-visibility patrols in the park each evening leading up to the Remembrance Day service on Sunday (9 November).”
This incident is just one of a total of 350 calls related to fire or fireworks that GMP responded to on Bonfire Night, which is said to be an increase from 203 last year.
A total of 27 arrests were made across Greater Manchester, with four weapons and hundreds of fireworks seized.
Danny Jones -
4th April 2024 
