Cold and bright weather forecast to welcome in March
Cooler sunny weather is due to settle over the UK in the first week of March following a February of temperature extremes.
The highest and lowest temperatures of the winter were both recorded in February, with a 41.4C difference between the two peaks, according to the Met Office.
The mercury hit -23C (-9.4F) in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, on February 11, and on February 24 it rose to 18.4C (65.12F) in Santon Downham, Suffolk.
Will high pressure continue to dominate the #weather across the UK this week?
Find out here 👇 pic.twitter.com/rwETOP8wcU
— Met Office (@metoffice) February 28, 2021
Monday, which marks the first day of meteorological springtime, is expected to bring foggy mornings with spells of sunshine breaking through by midday, and average temperatures of around 6C (42.8F) in London.
Northern Ireland and western areas of the UK mainland are set to see the best of the sunshine, which could also bring warmer temperatures in the low teens.
A similar outlook is forecast for Tuesday but rain showers are likely to move in from the south on Wednesday, Met Office meteorologists have said.
On Sunday evening, the Environment Agency had issued one flood warning for areas near the River Burn from South Creake to Burnham Thorpe in Norfolk ahead of the week.
Some 31 flood alerts for areas where flooding is possible are also in place for scattered locations, with most concentrated in the south of England and north-east Yorkshire.
No warnings have been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Natural Resources Wales or for Northern Ireland.
The cooler climes come after the final weekend of winter saw people flock to parks and beaches to soak up the unseasonal sunshine.
Revellers across the nation from Aberdeen to Plymouth enjoyed temperatures in the mid-teens.
The latest #satellite 🛰️image shows that it's a gloriously #sunny afternoon in many areas, although there is some #cloud in the north, and locally towards the east and southeast of England.Although it's tempting to head out, wherever possible please do #StayHome pic.twitter.com/gX23LOdg9J
— Met Office (@metoffice) February 28, 2021
With more sunny weather on the way, Met Office forecasters have echoed the Government’s message to stay at home while lockdown restrictions remain in place.