March madness... it’ll be as warm as Rome

WITH spring in full swing, it seems warmer weather it catching up as temperatures turn Mediterranean in the coming days.

Even better, the dry and bright conditions might last into the upcoming school holidays.

Temperatures in parts of the country could reach 18C (64F) before the end of the week, equalling those forecast for Rome and Malaga on the Costa del Sol.

The conditions are due to an area of high pressure bringing warm air in from Europe.

Richard Miles, from the Met Office, said: ‘The coming week is looking benign, settled and generally dry. Temperatures are likely to become increasingly mild.

‘By Thursday, we could see 16-17C (61-63F) in many places and 18C (64F) in Aberdeenshire.

‘By Friday, parts of southern England could reach 17C (63F) or possibly 18C (64F).’ These figures would be almost double the average temperature for March of just below 9C (48F).

Although there is likely to be plenty of sunshine in the coming days, today and tomorrow are set to be cloudier and temperatures will be slightly lower.

Forecasters predict high pressure could dominate central and southern parts of the country for the coming month, although areas of low pressure could bring wind and rain to northern and western areas at times.

Saturday is due to be cooler as a weather front moves south, bringing cloud and some patchy rain.

But dry conditions with warm spells are due to return next week as parts of the country begin their school holidays.