Spring is in the air – but not for long as wet and windy conditions loom later in week

A tantalising taste of spring is set to keep lifting spirits for many into the week ahead – although a return to wet and windy conditions with a risk of gales looms.

The blast of balmy air from the Americas currently bathing the British Isles encouraged temperatures to climb into double figures yesterday, with Aberdeen and Cardiff seeing highs of 10C (32F), 11C (53F) in Manchester and Newcastle, 12C (54F) in London and Belfast and 13C (55F) during the longest sunny spells in East Anglia.

Temperatures are set to climb further still today when the mercury could hit 17C (62F) in parts of the south east, while Aberdeen could see highs in the mid-teens (60F).

However, the brief respite from February’s usually wintry mix will fade away as the week goes on, with strong winds and some gales forecast from Thursday.

Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said conditions today will be “exceptionally mild”, with a 30% chance of 17C (62F) in the south-east, thermometers could reach 15C or 16C (59F or 60.8F) in parts of southern and eastern England and Aberdeen.

Meanwhile, Leeds, Bristol and Liverpool will reach 12C (54F), Birmingham 13C (55F) and Glasgow 11C (52F).

However, it will be downhill from tomorrow as a front from the Atlantic beats back the mild Caribbean plume.

“There will be a trend for temperatures to slowly come back down through the rest of the week, with a fairly unsettled picture developing,” Mr Petagna said.

“Tuesday night could see gales in the north and north-east of Scotland with gusts over 50mph, while almost any exposed areas across the UK will those gales on Thursday.

“At the moment they are not expected to be strong enough for it to become a named storm, but it will be blustery for many.”