Londoners who on Monday were basking in the warmest January day on record should now be preparing 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.
By Thursday bleak conditions would have descended 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 yesterday," Mr Yeatman said.
January 28, 2003 22:30
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