The spring equinox is still more than a fortnight away – but warm sunshine is set to make parts of the country feel positively balmy.
As spring flowers such as daffodils provide welcome cheer and the first tree blossom is now starting to appear, forecasters are predicting widespread fine conditions across England and Wales for the coming days.
By Thursday, the warm weather could bring highs of 18C (64F) – on a par with Rome – as southerly air is drawn north from Spain.
The upbeat forecast follows a cloudy and dull February, with only 88 per cent of the average sunshine, the Meteorological Office said.
Nicola Maxey, Met Office spokesperson, said: ‘We have these dry, sunny conditions because of an area of high pressure which is keeping Atlantic weather systems at bay.’
She added that a slight shift in the position of the high pressure will bring a southerly airflow by midweek, leading to the increased temperatures.
The warmest figures are likely in the Bristol area on Thursday, while Saturday could see 17C (63F) in London.
And temperatures are likely to reach the mid-teens in parts of northern England, too, with 16C (61F) possible in York on Thursday.
People walk past daffodils at St James Park in central London on Monday
DORSET: A man out for a stroll with his dog in the sunshine next to spring crocuses and daffodils at Forde Abbey on Sunday
A dog walker braves early morning frosty conditions at Braywick Park in Maidenhead, Berkshire on Monday
The only areas which may have widespread cloud and some drizzle are parts of the far North West, such as Cumbria, on Wednesday and Friday, plus parts of the far west and south west.
But Ms Maxey warned people not to be fooled into thinking winter has entirely disappeared, as the clear skies mean cold, frosty nights for the early part of the week, at least.
In the early hours of yesterday, temperatures fell to -6.8C (20F) at Benson, Oxfordshire, and lows of -6C (21F) were still expected tonight and tomorrow night. Central and northern areas are likely to see lows of -1C (30F) to -2C (28F).
From Wednesday onwards, it is likely to be cloudier overnight, meaning temperatures are likely to stay above freezing.
The weekend is set to remain mostly dry with sunny spells and mild temperatures, with the warmest spots including south and south-east England, as well as sheltered spots in North Wales.
Beautiful spring flowers at St James Park in Westminster, London on Monday. The capital could see temperatures as high as 17C on Saturday
A view of the sunset over Westminster Bridge in London on Monday afternoon
A golden sunset over yachts at Poole Harbour in Dorset on Saturday
Walkers embrace the sunshine in Dunsden, Oxfordshire on Sunday March 2
But Ms Maxey said the settled weather may not last into next week, when ‘changeable’ conditions could move in.
The Met Office said this could mean ‘a chance of showers or longer spells of rain across all areas, these more likely, at least at first, in the west’.
Forecasters say there is still a chance of a ‘colder spell’ towards the middle of March – so it may not yet be time to pack away the winter woollies – but then it is likely to warm up as spring officially arrives from March 20.
By the end of the month, the Met Office predicts that ‘above average temperatures are more likely, though some colder spells remain possible during late March.’
