Yahoo News UK weather: Britain basks in highs of 18C as spring is in the air - but temperatures set to drop again from Tuesday
Temperatures have hit 18.3C (64.9F) as Britain basks in the warmest day of the year so far.
The temperature, which also marks the warmest day of the winter so far, was recorded at Kew Gardens, west London and Northolt, north-west London, on Monday.
Heathrow Airport saw highs of 18.1C (64.6F), while 17.5C (63.5F) was recorded in Marham, Norfolk.
Temperatures keep on rising. We've just hit 18.3 ºC in Kew Gardens and Northolt, London. Here's the view from Hampstead's webcam ☀️️ pic.twitter.com/GLnO3XNJiA
— Met Office (@metoffice) February 20, 2017
Nicola Maxey, a Met Office spokeswoman, said the balmy temperatures were caused by tropical Atlantic air sweeping across the country.
"From tomorrow temperatures start dropping - much more near the average temperature for the time of year," she said.
She added that by the end of the week temperatures could be closer to single figures, with London expected to reach 10C (50F).
Monday's high edges towards the highest February temperature since records began - 19.7C (67.5F) at Greenwich Observatory in south-east London, on February 13 1998
Despite the balmy temperatures most places will be beneath cloudy, drizzly skies all day, with sunny spells confined to the south east of England on Monday.
For the rest of the UK highs of between 11C (53F) and 14C (57F) can be expected.
Weather for Monday 20 February
The brief respite from winter is thanks to a bulge of high pressure pushing the jet stream further north than usual.
However, this is set to change as the week goes on, with rain, wind and some snow moving in.
"On Monday parts of Scotland will see some early rain pushing in that will sink southwards through the day and behind that rain the system will introduce some colder air," Ms Salter said.
"When that rain makes its way south it will ease, without the cloud around it's going to be a cold night."
Still two weeks from the beginning of meteorological spring on March 1, winter will return as low pressure beats back the warm air.
Potentially severe gales are expected for Orkney and the north coast of Scotland, while gale force gusts could hit exposed areas further south on Tuesday night.
The Met Office said it may issue warnings and encouraged people to check the website.
"The rest of the week will remain unsettled with some gales on Thursday, but turning much colder with snow on high ground," Ms Salter said.
"By Friday this could possibly come down to lower levels in the north of the UK."
