Warm sunshine was a real treat
But cooler weather has now set in
Strath residents enjoyed glorious sunshine at the weekend and into the start of the week, emphasising the vibrant golden daffodils springing up throughout the area.
British Summer Time formally began with the clock change on Sunday, and temperatures have been more than double the monthly average for March, with highs of 17C reached in places.
However, there is still some snow on the hills and, according to the Met Office, the mild spell is set to break , with showers, sleet and snow on the way – particularly on high ground.
The change in conditions will take place as the high pressure, which has been responsible for the recent dry and mild weather, shifts south, introducing colder Arctic air from the north.
This will bring with it the risk of unsettled conditions and a return to cooler temperatures.
Maximum temperatures are likely to drop to single figures in many places, with some freezing temperatures overnight.
The unsettled theme is forecast to continue through to the weekend.
Met Office chief meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: “We’re going to be seeing a marked shift in the weather for the UK in the coming week as the warm weather is displaced south.
“Temperatures will drop as cold air sweeps south with single-figure maxima for most places from midweek, and bringing with it the unsettled weather that we’ll see for much of the week.
“Some clear spells are still around later in the week, with the best of any sunshine likely to be in the south later in the week.”
The drop in temperatures could be bad news for gardeners lulled into a false sense of security by the warm spell.
The Royal Horticultural Society’s Guy Barter said: “Colder weather will slow plant growth and inhibit plums and pears’ pollination as insects fly less in cold dull weather.
“Hard frosts don’t seem likely so magnolias and fruit flowers should escape serious damage.
“Limited rain will help new sowings of peas and carrots, for example – and newly-planted lettuces and other plants – but should not greatly delay sowing and planting once conditions improve.
“Tender plants, petunias and tomatoes, for example, won’t be put outside for another month at least but lower light affects greenhouses and will slow their growth.”