UK weather latest: Britain set to bask in sunshine as temperatures hit 17C

Britain is set to bask in sunshine this week, with rising temperatures peaking at 17C.

A band of high pressure across the south east will bring sunshine and warmth to London, with Thursday and Friday set to be five degrees above average for the time of year.

The warm weather comes just a week after flooding blighted the north, with heavy rainfall and high river levels in the Midlands and northern England.

Sadly, the forecast turns more unsettled by the weekend, with a chance of rain, cloud and cooler temperatures.

Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell said: “It is warming up – it’s not going to be exceptionally warm but it’ll be better than the past couple of days.

“Tomorrow will be around 13C, which is slightly cooler than the 15C we had on Sunday, but won’t feel too bad.

“A band of high pressure will mean it will be dry across most of the country, with patches of cloud in some places but with sunny spells.

“The best sunshine will be in the south and east, continuing through to Friday.

“By Thursday, we should be looking at temperatures of around 17C.

“Some of northern Scotland could see some drizzle but that won’t affect many people.

“The weather will turn a bit more unsettled by the weekend, but it should be turning nicer as we head into April.”