Photos from a sweltering hot Cambridge show a man jumping in the River Cam amid 25C temperatures – while water safety bosses are urging Brits to swim sensibly during the ‘mini-heatwave’
A thirsty tourist has been spotted diving into a river to fetch a pint of Pimm’s as Britain enjoys a mini heatwave.
The man was spotted taking a dip in Cambridge after going punting with friends along the Backs in the warm April sunshine yesterday, with temperatures reaching 25C in the area today – making it hotter than Ibiza. After leaping into River Cam, he swam to the bank, where he had spotted a friend with a pint of Pimms. The man then swam back to the boat while precariously balancing the pint in the air – and managed to do so without spilling a drop.
One onlooker said: “He was clearly desperate to cool down with a pint on a hot day and pulled out all the stops. I can’t believe he didn’t spill it!”
While many will be tempted to cool off in water during the period of summer-like weather, lifeguard chiefs have warned that water temperatures in rivers and seas will still be dangerously cold at this time of year. Those who choose to enjoy the hot spell this way are advised to do so in designated bathing spots between red and yellow flags.
Gareth Morrison, Head of Water Safety for the RNLI, said: “With the warm weather forecast this week, we want to remind everyone to stay safe when visiting the coast. Whilst the air temperature will be high, water temperature remain dangerously cold.
“If possible, choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live; tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing.
“Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then call for help or swim to safety if you can. It’s OK if your legs sink, we all float differently. In any coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
It comes after forecasters said temperatures are set to peak on Thursday, reaching 29C in parts of England. Experts remain unsure whether this extended period of warm weather will end up qualifying as an official heatwave, which is when temperatures to reach 25CC or above for three consecutive days.
The Met Office’s Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said: “Thursday looks set to be the warmest day of the week, with temperatures climbing notably above the seasonal average. Overnight temperatures will also be very high in places.
“It’s possible national and station records for daytime and overnight temperatures may be broken, but it’s unclear at this point whether heatwave criteria will be reached; if this happens, it is most likely in some of the lower category areas which require temperatures to reach 25°C or above for three consecutive days.
“The far north will always see cooler conditions, with these more seasonal temperatures likely spreading erratically south later in the week.”
After 25C highs on Friday, cooler conditions are expected from Saturday onwards, as an area of low pressure moves up from the south. By Monday, the mercury will have dropped back down to 14C in London – practically halving from the 29C maximum temperature forecast tomorrow.
