Smog unusually early this year in UK

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April 17, 2003

Smog unusually early this year

The UK has been suffering an unusually early high level of smog this week, which is due to disperse as the weather becomes more changeable at the Easter weekend.

According to air Quality Minister Alun , periods of high pollution are becoming less frequent, but the unusually warm weather this week has lead the Department for Environment (DEFRA) to warn that asthma sufferers may notice an effect on their breathing. Fortunately for those affected by breathing difficulties, across the country the weather will become colder and wetter on Easter Saturday, with rain in some places on Sunday, and a stiff easterly wind over both days, a Met Office spokesman told edie. This will get rid of a lot of the fumes, he said. Although this week’s weather cannot be attributed directly to climate change, DEFRA is warning that global warming may result in more hot sunny summer days, particularly in Southern England. Regular updates of air quality are available on TELETEXT page 155, at www.airquality.co.uk, and on the Environment Department’s helpline: 0800 556677.