Met Office names 4 areas facing 20C heat on Wednesday in new weather forecast - full list
A warm and pleasant spell of spring weather for many is expected to develop across the UK this week, the latest Met Office forecast said.
Warmer temperatures are expected towards the middle of this week, the forecaster said. "Tuesday begins on a cloudy note across much of the UK.
"Through the day, skies will steadily brighten for England and Wales, bringing increasing sunny spells. Much of Scotland and Northern Ireland will hold on to thicker cloud with further outbreaks of rain. Where sunshine develops in the south and west, and areas around the Moray coast, temperatures could reach 15-16°C, with an isolated 17°C possible," it also read.
Dan Harris, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said "Wednesday looks likely to be the warmest day of the week for many, with high pressure dominant".
He added: "The warmest spots are likely to be in parts of west Wales and western England, where under sunny skies, 18-19ºC, possibly even 20ºC is on the cards. This is due to the additional boost expected from the passage of east to south-easterly winds over areas of higher ground, known as the Foehn effect.
"There'll be a big diurnal range this week, which is the difference between the maximum daytime temperature and minimum overnight temperature. Thanks to the clear skies during the day, we'll see some chilly nights after the warmer days with a few places experiencing air frost."
Temperatures will cool again towards the seasonal average on Friday, the Met Office also added.
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This evening and tonight (March 16) people can expect "a rather cloudy but mild night, with occasional rain, mainly in the north and west but also over hills in the south," the latest forecast read. "A blustery night, especially in the north with coastal gales developing in the northwest."
On Tuesday, cloud will gradually break up to bring a sunny afternoon across much of England and Wales. Staying cloudy and windy for Scotland and Northern Ireland with further outbreaks of rain.
Wedensday to Friday, mostly dry and settled with plenty of sunshine for most. Turning warm on Wednesday and Thursday with light winds, but gradually cooler from Friday.
- Wales
Western England (including the West Midlands and parts of the South West)
Central southern England
South-east England