UK weather: New February high of 21.2C at Kew Gardens

The UK record for the hottest winter day has been broken for the second consecutive day, with 21.2C (70F) recorded at Kew Gardens in west London.

This time last year the UK experienced its coldest February in five years, with yellow and amber weather warnings in place across the country and predictions of anywhere between five and 15cm of snow.

But different kinds of records are being broken this week, with the UK's first ever recorded winter temperature of more than 20C (68F).

Kew's record-breaking temperature of 21.2C topped an earlier record of 20.8C (69.4F) in Porthmadog, Gwynedd on Tuesday.

Some parts of the country have been hotter than popular holiday destinations, beating Malibu, Athens and Barcelona.

Anyone hoping to bask in sunshine in Crete will be disappointed, with the island seeing 1.2in (300mm) of rain on Monday and a maximum temperature of 13C (55.4F) forecast for Tuesday.

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas issued a warning over the UK's warm temperatures, saying: "This isn't some jovial Guinness World Record.

"This is a climate emergency. Ministers must get off their sun loungers and introduce a #GreenNewDeal."

Despite this, Met Office meteorologist Luke Miall said that while climate change could be the cause of the drastic difference in conditions "we can't directly relate it".

Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang said: "This time last year it felt bitterly cold."

"Easterly winds were dragging cold air across the UK from Siberia.

"Many places at the turn of the month recorded maximum temperatures of about 0C (32F) or below. In the wind, it felt like minus 10C (14F)."

She added: "A year later and we are seeing temperature records broken up and down the country.

"The Scottish, Welsh, English and the UK February temperature records have all been broken. Yesterday saw London hit 20.4C (68.7F), and Trawsgoed in west Wales peaked at 20.6C (69F), setting a new UK record."

On Wednesday, highs will be nearer 15C to 18C.

The previous winter record was 19.7C (67.5F), which was recorded in 1998 in Greenwich, southeast London.

Friday is the first day of meteorological Spring, and will be mostly dry.

Here are some pictures from last year and this year - just days apart.