Parts of UK could see record-high March temperatures next week
Parts of the UK could top temperatures seen in Saint Tropez and Ibiza next week, when the country is set to sizzle in record high March heat.
Forecasters have predicted highs of 24C in south east England by Tuesday, following a weekend of “mixed” weather.
If the mercury soars that high, it would be only the second day in March that the temperature has reached this high in records going back to 1884.
The current maximum temperature recorded in March stands at 25.6C on March 29 1968 at Mepal in Cambridgeshire.
The warm weather coincides with the easing of some lockdown restrictions in England, with groups of six allowed to meet outdoors from Monday.
The balmy temperatures would, however, follow a spell of wintry showers for some over the weekend.
Areas in the north will see strong winds and rain, particularly in parts of western Scotland where a yellow warning for rain is in place from Saturday evening.
Those living in these regions can expect to see 80-100mm of rainfall with the potential for 150-250mm over the highest ground, the Met Office said.
Parts of southern England and Wales will see sunny conditions on Saturday, before a grey and windy Sunday.
Temperatures are expected to reach highs of 14C (57.2F).
Met Office forecaster, Greg Dewhurst, told the PA news agency: "The weekend should be a mixed bag for many with a big north-south split.
"Southern regions will certainly see the warmer, sunnier conditions with a band of rain moving through Northern Ireland on Saturday afternoon before heading into parts of northern England and Scotland.
"Saturday will certainly be the better of the two days, with Sunday becoming windy and grey for most."
Mr Dewhurst said southerly winds along with an area of high pressure would move in on Monday.
He added: "Into next week large swathes of southern England and Wales will be dry with warmer temperatures than expected for this time of year, the average for March being 11-12C.
"Much of the UK will remain dry and bright until Wednesday, while parts of Scotland will see some heavy showers."
Conditions are expected to change again from the middle of the week, the Met Office warned, with cold air from the north bringing another dip in temperatures for Easter weekend.
The coldest Easter weekend on record was in 2013 when minus 12.5C was recorded at Braemar in Aberdeenshire, on Easter Sunday.
The record for the wettest Easter weekend was set in 1991 when 108.7mm of rainfall was recorded at Seatoller, in Cumbria, on Easter Monday.