Parts of the UK are set to be hotter than popular Mediterranean holiday destinations on the first day of spring this Thursday, as it could be the hottest day of the year so far.
Temperatures could reach 19C in southern England on March 20, the Met Office has said. This will make Britain warmer than Ibiza, where temperatures are predicted to reach 17C, and Corfu, which is expected to see 16C.
The unseasonably warm weather marks a dramatic shift from the current chilly conditions being experienced across the country.
The warmer-than-usual temperatures will be approximately 8C above average for this time of year, according to the Met Office.
Temperatures could reach 19C in southern England on March 20, the Met Office has said
MET OFFICE
This unusual March heat will give Britons a rare opportunity to enjoy warmer conditions than holidaymakers in Mediterranean hotspots.
Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell said: "We're expecting quite a lot of dry weather, increasing amounts of sunshine as we head through the next few days."
"By Wednesday, we're looking at highs of about 17C in the South. And then on Thursday, we could get as high as 19C."
Before then, however, conditions will continue to feel cooler with temperatures hovering around 10C.
MORE LIKE THIS:
"We've also got quite a chilly wind at the moment, so it's making it feel even colder," Mitchell explained.
The current cold snap has seen temperatures dip below freezing for most of the UK overnight.
In parts of northern England and Scotland, temperatures could plummet as low as -9C. But the increasingly strong March sunshine will soon warm things up considerably.
Thursday will mark the spring equinox, considered the first day of the new season.
The warmest conditions will be felt across southeast England and the Midlands. The pleasant weather will spread north and westwards to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
"There's really just northern Scotland that will keep hold of the colder weather though the middle of the week," Mitchell said.
Widespread clear skies are expected to lead to cold nights initially.
But a lower pressure system west of Portugal will continue to allow southerly winds to import higher temperatures into the UK.
The warmest conditions will be felt across southeast England and the Midlands
GETTY
After a frosty start, Thursday could see predicted highs of over 20C in some areas. The dramatic temperature swing will provide a welcome relief after the recent cold spell.
This marks an unusually warm start to spring, with temperatures significantly above what would typically be expected in late March.
Britons are set to enjoy a rare opportunity to experience warmer weather than many Mediterranean destinations as the new season officially begins.
The clear skies and sunshine will offer perfect conditions to enjoy the first day of spring across most of the UK.
