A dramatic weather U-turn will see early spring drenched in golden rays as winter’s ‘anticyclonic gloom’ is shunted by 17C sun dome.
Rising daytime temperatures this week will climax for what is likely to be the warmest weekend of the year so far.
Months of stubborn grey cloud and drizzle will vanish for blue skies and golden rays thanks to a curious shift in atmospheric patterns.
High pressure has been dominant through winter, but rather than delivering sunshine, it trapped cloud driving weeks of so-called ‘anticyclonic gloom’.
A dramatic weather U-turn will see early spring drenched in golden rays as winter’s ‘anticyclonic gloom’ is shunted by 17C sun dome
WXCHARTS
A new high stretching from the tropical Atlantic – the Azores High – will paint a very different picture.
And experts reckon the pattern of sunny clear skies will dig in through the next week at least.
Jim Dale, meteorologist for British Weather Services, said: “It has been a long while since we have seen this type of high pressure, which brings clear skies rather than the gloom through winter.
“But for the next week at least, this looks like the pattern, and although we could see some collapse of the high that would bring the risk of unsettled conditions at times, it looks like building again by mid-month.
“So, for the start of March we are keeping the sunny skies, at least away from the far northwest, and so it is perfect for getting people out and enjoying the sunshine and the lift of mood it brings.”
Temperature charts show the chance of hitting 17C at the weekend, although clear skies will drive cold nights.
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Northern and exposed regions will keep the risk of frost through the next week in overnight lows below freezing.
And further south, Britons will feel the last nip of winter with cold mornings and nights forecast.
Dale said: “There is going to be the risk of some deep frosts and particularly in the northwest and Scotland.
“Also, with high pressure over much of the country, it will be the northwest of Scotland that will be at risk of any rainfall from lows coming in from the west.”
Long-range outlooks beyond the next week also point towards calm-weather driving high pressure dominating.
Frontal systems from the west will bring the risk of some cloud and rain, but otherwise it is a largely clear picture.
Rising daytime temperatures this week will climax for what is likely to be the warmest weekend of the year so far
Net Weather
Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick said: “As we head towards spring, we have high pressure building which means lots of dry and bright weather to come.
“As frontal systems move into the high pressure, there is a good chance that we could see some cloud at times, but very little rain is on the cards.
“There is a chance of frost and fog as we head into the early hours of the morning.”
The cheery outlook has prompted bookmakers to slash the odds on this month hitting record books.
With the prospects rising of an early spring heat blast, Coral is offering 2-1 from 4-1 on a scorching March.
Spokesman John Hill said: “We look set for some glorious sunshine next week, with temperatures rising into the late teens.
“Our betting indicates spring may come early this year, as the odds have been slashed for this month to end as a record-hot March.”
