After the freeze, we’ll be hotter than Spain (but it’ll still rain)

WE’VE frozen our way through the first half of February.

But we’re finally ready to thaw out as temperatures are set to rise to twice the average for this time of year – making Britain hotter than Spain.

Thermometers in the South East are likely to hit a balmy 15C (59F) tomorrow – twice the usual 7C (45F) for this time of year.

However, although we are set for Mediterranean temperatures, the sunshine is likely to be lacking – as rain is also expected, particularly in Wales and the North West.

Laura Caldwell, forecaster for MeteoGroup, said: ‘We’re expecting a mild weekend. It’ll be several degrees above average for this time of the year.

‘The westerly flow of mild air over the southern half of the country will bring warm temperatures but it’ll still be cold in the North and Scotland.’

The increase in temperature will be a welcome relief after the cold and icy start to the month. However, Miss Caldwell added that the latest cold snap has been more noticeable because of the mild start to the winter.

‘Because we had such a mild January and December, it felt colder, and now comparatively warm this weekend. The weather has been very topsy turvy,’ she said.

So while parts of the country will be hot- ter than Madrid this weekend, which will be 12C (54F), the mild weather will fail to reach Scotland and the North.

There are weather warnings in place for rain in Wales and North West England, with heavy and persistent showers expected over high ground, as well as strong winds.