Sunniest February On Record For England And Wales - Met Office - Reuters

[hatrack]

LONDON - Birds nested early, spring flowers bloomed before time and ice cream vans reported an unexpected rise in sales as England and Wales enjoyed the sunniest February since records began. The Met Office confirmed on Friday that there was 106.1 hours of sun over the last four weeks, beating the previous record of 94.4 hours set in 1970.

Despite one or two cold snaps, it has also been milder than usual. Between December and February, the mean temperature was 4.8 Celsius (40.6 Fahrenheit), 1.1 degrees above the long-term average. Wildlife experts say the sunny, mild weather has brought an early taste of spring for many and sent birds into a flap. "Many birds may have settled into their nests uncharacteristically early," said Claire Ferry, a spokeswoman for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

The Woodland Trust said there were reports of frogspawn, buterflies and ladybirds appearing earlier than usual. The first tadpoles of the season were spotted on Jan. 24 in Devon, while newts were recorded in Cheshire and Somerset. Spring flowers such as daffodils, snowdrops and primroses popped up early, while hawthorn hedges came into leaf weeks well ahead of time.

Ice cream sellers at seaside resorts across the country said trade was well up for the time of year, with day-trippers making the most of the sunshine.

EDIT

http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/47287/story.htm

[Tektonik]

1. No wonder music has sucked this year so far.

[sam sarrha]

2. by June theyll be ringing bells and calling, "BRING OUT YOUR DEAD".!! gonna be HOT.!!