Spring sunshine on the way with Britain to be hotter than Rome

Spring sunshine is expected across most of the UK this weekend, the Met Office has said, with parts of Britain set to be warmer than Rome.

An African Heat burst is heading towards the UK, which will see temperatures rise above the March average of 11C.

After weeks of chilly and unsettled weather, many can look forward to plenty of “blue sky and a hint of spring warmth” in the coming days, although some rain is expected too, according to meteorologist Alex Deakin.

At the end of the week, a high pressure system moving in means it “should feel very pleasant on Friday and into the weekend,” he said.

People walk by daffodils at St Nicholas' Park in Warwick.
Jacob King

Temperatures are expected to be in the teens this week and could reach 19C in the south on Friday, warmer than the predicted 15C in the Italian capital.

“That high pressure looks likely to bring most of us a fine day on Friday and the high could continue to bring us fine weather into the weekend,” Mr Deakin said.

“With high pressure sitting right across the UK, that means generally fine and sunny conditions”.

However, it could be breezy in some areas, particularly in the north west where some showery rain is also possible.

Earlier in the week, largely dry and sunny weather is expected on Tuesday, while Wednesday could bring some heavy showers in places.

The rain is set to clear for many by Thursday, when a drier and warmer trend is set to kick off that could last for the rest of the month.

The Met Office said that next week “high pressure is likely to dominate”, meaning “temperatures (are) expected to be mild to very mild for most” while the “sunniest weather is expected to be in the south and east”.