UK weather: More 'exceptionally mild' conditions forecast with temperatures up to 18C

The Met Office is forecasting more “exceptionally mild” weather for Britain in the coming days with temperatures set to peak on Friday.

The mercury could hit 17C or even 18C in some areas, forecasters said.

It follows several days of balmy weather and above-average temperatures for this time of year – a year after the UK was bracing for impact from the so-called Beast from the East storm.

Meteorologist Alex Deakin said: “It will be quite a foggy start on Friday across parts of England especially the south and the east, a bit more cloud maybe in the northwest.

“The fog should melt away; we’ve got the southerly winds bringing the warmth.”

The south coast will see slightly cooler temperatures due to the wind direction, and potentially some mist, he added.

“For many, the next few days promise a real taste of spring.”

However, while Wales and England are likely to enjoy a sunny start to the weekend, Northern Ireland and western Scoland will see rain early on Saturday. “That then fizzles out as it moves into eastern Scotland“ in the afternoon, forecaster Aidan McGivern said.

And a weather front moving in from the west will bring some cloud and cooler temperatures in northern Britain on Sunday.

Sunny spells and mild conditions are expected to persist into the early part of next week, Mr Deakin said. Much of the week is forecast to be dry due to a high pressure system sitting near the country.

On Thursday, Scotland notched its warmest-ever February day, with Aboyne in Aberdeenshire recording a high of 18.3C. It beat the previous high of 17.9C logged in Aberdeen on 22 February, 1987.

The current record maximum temperature measured in the UK in February is 19.7C, which was set in London on 13 February, 1998.

Wales' record temperature for February was set at 18.6C in Powys in 1990, and the highest in Northern Ireland was 17.8C in Bryansford in 1998.

Additional reporting by PA