Home / Editor's Pick /

April Fool's Day: Weather events that are no joke!

06:00
1 April 2024

April Fool's Day
Weather events that are no joke!

It's April Fool's Day, so here are the top 4 most memorable weather events to have actually taken place in history on this date.

  • First newspaper weather map

April 1st 1875 saw the newspaper debut its first ever weather section in The London Times, as above.

The US didn't get their first newspaper publication until 1879. Nowadays though, you can get an instant forecast at your fingertips on Weather & Radar!

  • First weather satellite imagery
The first photo of Earth from a weather satellite, taken by the TIROS-1 satellite on April 1st 1960.The first photo of Earth from a weather satellite, taken by the TIROS-1 satellite on April 1st 1960. - © picture alliance

The TIROS 1, Television InfraRed Observational Satellite, became the first satellite to send images back from space in 1960. The satellite itself was only in operation for 78 days however.

  • Maximum date record

The highest temperature ever recorded in the UK on 1st April is 22.6°C in Wryde, Cambridgeshire from 1907. It's been a long old time since this date was beaten!

  • Minimum date record

The lowest temperature ever recorded in the UK on this date was -11.7°C in West Linton in the Scottish Borders. This record has also been held for a really long time, since 1917!

Exploring nature's trickstersread more
More on the topic
Temperature map of Europe showing wintry conditions in the north-east, and summer warmth in the south-east.
Friday 21 November 2025

Winter meets summer

Large temperature contrasts in Europe
Weather radar for Europe showing numerous showers and weather map showing cold air at high altitude
Tuesday 18 November 2025

Influence of cold air

Patchwork quilt of showers over Europe
Split image showing dark rooftop chimneys silhouetted against a vivid orange-red sunset on the left, and large white cumulus clouds rising over trees under a blue sky on the right.
Sunday 16 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Views from an unsettled week
All weather news
This might also interest you
Sunday 24 August 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mammatus clouds widely spotted
Weather map of the UK and Ireland showing scattered showers with cloudy patches across much of the region, especially around western and northern areas. Sunshine symbols appear over London, Cardiff, and parts of southern England, while temperatures range from 17°C to 18°C in most places. Areas of heavier rain are visible over the Atlantic to the west.
Friday 29 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Unsettled conditions into the weekend
Split weather map showing UK wind speeds in orange-red shades up to 40 mph on the left and warning levels in green-yellow on the right, with a central wind warning sign.
Wednesday 22 October 2025

Warnings active

Storm Benjamin impacts the UK
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList