April-like warmth to dominate UK, Cheltenham Festival this week

By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

By Adam Douty, AccuWeather meteorologist

March 12,2017, 10:48:45AM,EDT

 

Mild weather will continue to dominate the United Kingdom this week, much to the delight of those planning to attend the Cheltenham Festival.
A significant push of cool air will not follow the cold front that crossed the U.K. with showers on Sunday.
Instead, the pocket of cooler air will sink southward into Spain and open the door for more April-like warmth to pour across the U.K. early in the week.

On Tuesday, highs will reach or exceed 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) in many communities across England. Places across the north and west will be the exception as cooler air flows in from the Irish and Celtic seas.
The April-like warmth will not be confined to England as highs elsewhere in the U.K. will range from 10-14 C (50-57 F) on Tuesday. The warmth will hold in most areas into Wednesday and Thursday, though Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England will see a change to cooler temperatures by Thursday.
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Detailed forecast for Cheltenham
The warm spell is good news for those planning to attend the Cheltenham Festival.
Spectators will not have to worry about bundling up as temperatures will approach or reach 15 C (59 F) on Tuesday and Wednesday despite cloudy spells. The only hindrance to spectators would be any morning fog reducing visibility.

Rain and strong winds will be absent these days, preventing the festival from being canceled.
“Overall, the weather will be nice for spectators, and the course should not be overly soft,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Thompson said. “It certainly will not be as soft as I’m sure it is [in] other years.”
However, changes are likely to take place for the festival’s finale on Friday.
A push of cooler air may erase the warmth for Gold Cup Day and the chance for a shower will return.