BRITS could see highs of 14C next week as the bitter cold snap comes to an end.
The Met Office is predicting temperatures will be hotter than Spain in just days as we move closer to spring.
Visitors sitting in deck chairs on the beach enjoying the warm sunshine at the seaside resort of Lyme Regis in Dorset[/caption]
A Met Office weather chart shows highs of 14C on Wednesday[/caption]
It comes after parts of the country were battered by torrential downpours leading to flooding, as well as snow flurries, at the end of February.
Areas of holiday hotspots Costa Del Sol and Alicante are expected to dip as low as 10C.
Meteorologist Honor Criswick said: “It’s going to be a fine start to the weekend and a fine start to March.”
Despite a widespread frost and dense fog for some Brits on Saturday morning, she said that will make way to sunny patches and a few scattered showers as the day progresses.
By around 4pm temperatures are expected to peak at around 10C and 11C for much of the country.
Ms Criswick said: “Temperatures fairly similar to what they’ve been over the last couple of days.”
The mercury could plummet to -2C for some, with “freezing fog” overnight into Sunday before it again clears and temperatures peak into double figures.
The forecaster went on to say: “As we see that high pressure stick around into next week, that means once again plenty of fine weather on the cards.
“Frontal systems at times dragging their way southeastwards, so it’s bringing in some cloud rather than any heavy outbreaks of rain – but the Azores High is still stretching its way across the UK, so still lots of fine, settled weather to come as we head into next week.”
The Environment Agency has issued 56 flood alerts and one warning across England today – while Natural Resources Wales has one alert in place.
Fellow Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said the UK has experienced a “duller than average winter”, adding: “It’s getting warmer, it’s feeling warmer already.”
The national weather agency’s long range forecast for Wednesday and beyond says: “A split in weather conditions is likely across the UK at first during early March.
“Northwestern areas will see some rain and stronger winds at times, as Atlantic weather systems arrive from the west.
“These spells of wet and windy weather will drift southeast to some degree, but will weaken.
“High pressure is likely to have more influence across the south of the UK, at least at first.
“However, through this period there is an increasing chance of unsettled conditions becoming more widely dominant across the UK with more in the way of rain at times for all areas, even in the south.
“Although, there will still be some drier interludes between these periods of unsettled conditions.”
5-day weather forecast
Today:
Rain across Northern Ireland and northwest Scotland fading as it moves southeastwards into northern England and northern Wales later. Elsewhere, a dry and largely fine day with light winds and sunny spells after early fog lifts.
Tonight:
Band of low cloud and light drizzle stalling across central areas of the UK. Clear spells either side but with frost and fog patches. Windy in the far north.
Sunday:
Most places fine and dry with sunny spells, though a little more cloud across northern England and Wales than on Saturday. Rain moving into the northwest later. Temperatures near average.
Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:
Remaining largely dry across southern areas with sunny spells by day then frost and fog overnight. More cloud further north, with rain and strong winds at times.
A misty morning in Abington Park, Northamptonshire, on Saturday[/caption]
A car drives through flood waters along a country lane in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, on Thursday[/caption]
