Londoners who on Monday were basking in the warmest January day on record should prepare for subzero temperatures.

A record breaking 16.5deg was recorded in London yesterday, beating the previous 15deg set on January 6 1999.

The temperature was about 10deg warmer than the January average, Met Office spokesman Andy Yeatman said.

"It was just one of those quirky days," he said.

Tomorrow, bleak conditions should descend on the capital with brisk winds likely to lower temperatures to subzero levels.

While snow was forecast for other parts of the UK later this week, London was likely only to get a dusting on nearby hills or sleet.

"The weekend and the early part of next week will be a lot better but we won't be up to the dizzy heights of Monday," Mr Yeatman said.

London was blanketed by several centimetres of snow in early January, in the heaviest fall the capital has experienced for ten years.

January 29, 2003 12:00