Sun seekers in the Black Country enjoy unexpected heatwave
SUN seekers sizzled under the unexpected autumn warmth as thousands across the Black Country enjoyed a surprising heatwave.
Families throughout the region basked under the sunshine, whipping out their tank tops and shorts after casting away their woolly winter clothes.
The unanticipated heat wave hit the Black Country over the weekend despite October usually bringing chills and spells of rain to residents across the area.
Hot air arriving from southern Spain led to temperatures of up to 19C (66F) on Saturday, while highs of 21C (70F) stretched across the Black Country on Sunday.
But the welcomed warm weather will be short-lived, with the hot spells passing and expected to be well and truly over by the end of today - when the remnants of Hurricane Ophelia hit the coast.
Weather experts are warning the enjoyable weekend weather could be followed by heavy downpours, as well as winds gushing past at speeds of 70mph.
Met Office forecaster Alex Burkhill said: "Ophelia became a hurricane overnight and the forecast track took it eastwards towards Iberia for the weekend.
"After that, indications were that by that point it would then have weakened and be no longer a hurricane or tropical storm, it would be extratropical.
"But then it will continue its way towards the British Isles, probably reaching us very early this week."
Bosses behind outdoor attractions across the county were beaming as the warm weather helped pull in waves of visitors over the weekend.
Owner of Essington Fruit Farm Will Simkin saw thousands of thrill-seekers pour into his Bognop Road base to pick their own pumpkins ahead of Halloween.
Mr Simkin said: “No-one wants to pick pumpkins in the cold and wet. The better the weather the more enjoyment for the people coming to visit us. It is always important for us and we look ahead at the weather forecasts.”
Runners also battled the inaugural Birmingham International Marathon and the Great Birmingham Run as the sun's rays shined down yesterday.
The arrival of Hurricane Ophelia today coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Great Storm of 1987, which hit southern England overnight.
It caused an estimated £1 billion-worth of damage and claimed 18 lives.
