UK Weather
Huge piles of tumbleweed blew onto roads in Washington state, trapping cars and closing down a highway on New Year’s Eve. It reopened hours later after Washington State Patrol officials cleared the plants that gathered in piles between 20 and 30 feet high in some areas.
The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for thick fog tonight, which could reduce visibility to just 100 metres in some areas.
The mercury rose to an "exceptional" 16.8C.
The Met Office said that a period of high pressure was expected to come in over the weekend, bringing a dry end to the year for many.
The Environment Agency has issued 36 flood warnings - where flooding is expected - and 96 flood alerts - where flooding is possible.
There are 80 flood warnings still in place across the UK, forcing homeowners to prepare for the possibility of damage over the festive season.
A second storm, named Storm Fabien, has brought further chaos to parts of Spain and Portugal.
Road and rail links have been severely disrupted by the heavy rainfall.
Christmas isn't Christmas without loads of rain and soul-crushing delays.
The high beats the previous record of 40.3C from January 7, 2013.