Record-Breaking Spring Weather To Continue

The unseasonably warm Spring weather is set to continue this week with Scotland enjoying record temperatures for the month of March.

A balmy 22.8C (73F) was recorded at Fyvie Castle in Aberdeenshire on Sunday, beating the previous March record high of 22.2C (72F) in 1965.

Sky News weather presenter Sarah Pennock says there is more to come.

"Scotland could see another March record-breaking weather day if parts of Aberdeenshire top 22.8C (73F)," she said.

"Northeast England will see 19-20C (67-68F) with highs being what we would expect in June."

Temperatures are to remain high at the start of this week before falling to a more seasonal average of 11-12C (51-53F) by next weekend.

The average this weekend was 17-18C (63-64F).

Pennock said: "For central and southern England, Wales and Ireland the fine dry sunny conditions will stay through to the end of the week.

"But Scotland will see a change on Wednesday as cloud thickens, a west, northwesterly wind flow will bring light and patchy rain and the temperatures across Scotland will suffer, dropping 10 degrees from Monday to Friday.

"Expect 10-11C (50F) across Scotland on Friday, which is normal for March.

"Whilst we can enjoy the sunshine - if this lack of rainfall continues the hose pipe ban will kick in April 5th."

After two exceptionally dry winters some rivers and groundwater levels are lower than during 1976 - the hottest year on record.

The South East and East are already in a state of drought, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs .

The Environment Agency says the two regions will need well above average rainfall during the next few months for groundwater levels to recover.

Ardingly reservoir in West Sussex and Bewl reservoir in Kent are around two-fifths of their normal levels.