NI enjoys its hottest day of year so far

Northern Ireland basked in the Province's hottest day so far this year on Monday '“ and the spell of sunshine looks set to continue into next week.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th May 2016, 19:41 BST
Updated 10th May 2016, 15:17 BST
Lara Mateer and Klayton McCusker from Belfast take advantage of the good weather in Carrickfergus, Co AntrimLara Mateer and Klayton McCusker from Belfast take advantage of the good weather in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim
Lara Mateer and Klayton McCusker from Belfast take advantage of the good weather in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim

The unseasonably high heat began early, with the Met Office recording a temperature of 23 Celsius at just 10.57am in Killowen, Co Down.

By the evening time, the hottest reading of the day had been in Thomastown, Co Fermanagh, where thermometers reached 23.4C at 1.42pm.

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The runner-up was Portglenone, where 23.2C was reached at 3.12pm.

The transit of Mercury across the surface of the Sun was visible only via special telescopesThe transit of Mercury across the surface of the Sun was visible only via special telescopes
The transit of Mercury across the surface of the Sun was visible only via special telescopes

The previous top temperature of 2016 had been on Sunday at Aldergrove, when a reading of 21.3C was made.

The typical maximum for this time of year is about 14C.

Robin Steel of the Met Office said that while temperatures in the days ahead may be slightly lower in Northern Ireland, the high-pressure system which has brough this good weather looks likely to continue until Wednesday.

Meanwhile, many people worldwide had the Sun on their mind for a different reason – a rare visible transit of Mercury across the face of the star, visible though specially filtered telescopes.

Related topics:ProvinceNorthern IrelandMet OfficeCo Fermanagh