April among warmest and sunniest on record, says Ronaldsway

Temperatures soared nearly 2°C above average, with sunshine hours well above normal and rainfall below expected levels

The Isle of Man recorded one of its warmest and sunniest Aprils on record, according to the Ronaldsway Met Office.

Anticyclonic conditions and plenty of sunshine continued from March, with the mean daily maximum temperature reaching 13.3°C - nearly 2°C above the 30-year average and the third warmest April on record.

The highest temperature at Ronaldsway was 18.6°C on 30 April, with inland areas reaching into the low 20s.

In total, the Island recorded 230 hours of sunshine during the month, ranking as the fourth sunniest April locally and over 50 hours above the long-term average.

The sunniest day was also the 30 April, with 13.3 hours of sunshine.

Rainfall was below average, with 40.8mm recorded - about 30 percent down on usual levels.

The wettest day was 14 April, which saw 8mm of rain.

Wind speeds were slightly below normal, averaging 11 knots, and just one day reached strong wind levels.

Easterly winds dominated, drawing warm air from continental Europe.

Ronaldsway Met Office says rainfall has been 50 percent below average over the past three months, marking what it describes as a "very good spring so far."