October ends on a temperature high

It may almost be November but temperatures are expected to hit 17C in Exeter today (Tuesday).

Whilst this is not exceptional, it is unusual for the time of year. These sorts of temperatures, which are almost double the average, are quite rare in October.

High street shops had their worst month in September for more than five years due to the warm weather.

Experts say it is because purchases such as jumpers and boots failed to materialise as normal.

Industry data from the British Retail Consortium, the retailers’ trade association, show retail sales fell 0.8 per cent last month compared with September 2013. That was the biggest annual fall since December 2008, apart from occasional distortions caused by the timing of Easter.

The Met Office forecast is as follows:

Today:
Staying largely dry. Cloudy in the west, perhaps with some patchy drizzle. There will be some sunshine for the east where it also becomes warm. However, cloud will increase across the whole region later with some rain in the west. Maximum Temperature 17C.

Tonight:
Cloud increasing further with rain arriving, then becoming slow moving. Rain falling over most parts by the early hours, becoming heavy at times, likely around dawn. Extensive hill fog. Mild. Minimum Temperature 12C.

Wednesday:
Staying cloudy with outbreaks of occasionally heavy rain and hill fog. However, the rain eases towards the end of the day with some parts becoming dry. Maximum Temperature 17C.

Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Mostly cloudy with the odd spot of light rain or drizzle Thursday. Brighter with some sunshine Friday. Becoming cloudy again with rain moving in Saturday. Gradually becoming windier.