Record-high March temperatures forecast as lockdown eases

The south of the UK will be “very warm”, the Met Office said, and some areas in south-east England could see temperatures rise to 24C by Tuesday.

The warmer and brighter weather coincides with the relaxing of England’s lockdown on Monday, when the “stay home” order ends and groups of up to six people, or two households, are able to meet outside.

Big swings in #temperature will occur in the coming days 🌡️

A rippling weather front will bring heavy #rain to the northwest during the first part of the week ⚠️

But in the south, it becomes #sunny and very #warm by Tuesday 📈

By #Easter much colder air is likely to return 📉 pic.twitter.com/2PZwqnLR5D

— Met Office (@metoffice) March 27, 2021

After a sunny Saturday, parts of southern England and Wales will see mostly dry, grey and windy conditions on Sunday, although some bright or sunny spells is forecast for the South East.

Temperatures are expected to reach highs of 14C (57.2F).

Met Office forecaster, Greg Dewhurst said southerly winds along with an area of high pressure would move in on Monday.

He said: “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.

“The mercury could reach a high of around 18C on Monday, with Tuesday seeing highs of 24C (75.2F).

“Much of the UK will remain dry and bright until Wednesday, while parts of Scotland will see some heavy showers.”

By Easter weekend, cold air from the north may bring another dip in temperatures, with the Met Office forecasting showers spreading to most areas.

It said temperatures are likely to be around or below average for the time of the year, with a potential for widespread overnight frosts.

The coldest Easter weekend on record was in 2013 when minus 12.5C was recorded at Braemar in Aberdeenshire, on Easter Sunday.