Britain could be basking in warm and dry weather by Easter, a forecaster has said. March has been wet and chilly for most, with temperatures barely reaching double figures for much of the month so far.
But one meteorologist says we can expect an improvement soon - and in time for the long weekend in April. British Weather Services' senior meteorological consultant, Jim Dale, said there would be a northerly wind heading to the UK in the lead-up to Easter, which will then hopefully settle down.
The higher sun will also mean more chance of decent temperatures, especially in the south and east of England. However, Jim said that such conditions could stretch as far as Scotland. Jim told the Mirror that we could be seeing 20C by Easter Monday.
He said: "We went through February and it was dry and predominantly mild. When I say it was dry, it was exceptionally dry in the southeast, so we had to make that up.
"We're starting to come out of it just in time for Easter, and we're likely to see some high pressure come on just before Good Friday. It's not a given, but there are good signs that this kind of change of fortunes will arrive just in time for Easter.
"If we give it some time - and I'm not just talking about Good Friday or the Saturday, but certainly the back end of the bank holiday weekend and the week that follows for the school holidays - it does look like it might well become warmer."
It wouldn't be unusual for an April to see a warmer blast following a chilly spell, however. It's a swing month, which essentially means it could go in either direction, he said.
Jim said: "The only other thing to mention is that the sun's angle is getting such that when you get sunshine - even on a northerly airstream - it gets quite warm. So I would expect that as we go through the Easter period, I would expect us to nudge the 20C mark in the south and east, and maybe even the north into eastern Scotland. That's a bit of conjecture, and maybe a bit of hope, but it wouldn't be that unusual."
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The warm spell would follow a particularly cold and wet March, which is likely to spill into the next week, Jim added. Some areas of the UK might even be facing the looming threat of snow before Easter. Jim's predictions are broadly agreed upon in the Met Office's current long range forecast.
Looking at the weather for March 28 to April 6, the Met Office said: "On Tuesday, largely dry with localised showers to the north and east, possibly snow over higher ground. Mostly cold and settled, with a chance of some unsettled weather moving in from the west later on.
"Wetter conditions are likely to move in through the end of March, particularly across northern areas. Southern and eastern areas are likely to be drier, although a chance of showers or spells of rain remain likely here.
"Strong winds are probable, with a low risk of gales mainly across western parts. Into early April, more settled conditions and drier interludes become increasingly likely, although a chance of wetter, potentially thundery conditions at times. Temperatures are generally above average, though colder conditions remain possible in the far north and northeast at first."
Its summary for April 7 to 21 is as follows: "A general trend to less unsettled conditions is likely into April. Still some wetter weather at times, with occasional showers, which could be heavy or thundery.
"However, most areas are likely to see some spells of dry weather, with potentially frost and some fog overnight. The chances of strong winds are probably lower than normal, and whilst temperatures are likely to generally be near to slightly above normal, cooler spells remain possible."
