UK sees sunniest April on record as Devon basks in warmth

April 2025 has officially gone down as the sunniest April ever recorded across the UK, according to the Met Office, with the month ending as it began - under high pressure, clear skies, and unseasonably warm conditions.

Provisional figures show the UK enjoyed record levels of sunshine throughout the month, with the national total surpassing previous highs since the sunshine records began.

In Devon, the county experienced 28 per cent more sunshine hours than the long-term meteorological average, making it the tenth sunniest April locally since records began in 1910.

But the sunshine came with an unusual twist - more rain. 

Rainfall across Devon was 35 per cent higher than the average for April, a reminder that this month often brings a mix of weather despite its bright reputation.

Temperatures in Devon also soared, with the mean temperature 1.9°C above the April average. 

That makes it the fifth warmest April in the county since temperature records began in 1884.

A Met Office spokesperson said the high pressure that dominated throughout much of the month led to long spells of settled, sunny weather across the UK, though some areas did see bursts of heavy rain.

“April closed in the way it began,” they said, “with blue skies and well-above average temperatures for the time of year.”

The full verified climate statistics for April 2025 will be released later this month.