Today has been one of the hottest days of the year so far in Liverpool, with many of us thrilled to experience some warm sunshine.
Brighter conditions have finally arrived in the region after a gloomy February, which saw Merseyside battered by stormy weather. Liverpool has basked in the spring sunshine as temperatures almost doubled the the seasonal average.
And it's good news for sun-lovers, with the Met Office predicting the blue skies and warmer temps will last for the rest of the week. Wednesday is set to see highs of 17C, and there is minimal rain forecast until at least Monday (March 28) as it stands.
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As many of us have learned the hard way by now, though, after a spell of lovely weather there is usually some rain, or even a thunderstorm. So how long will the sunshine last, and when will grey clouds return?
According to the Met Office's UK long range weather forecast, it will be largely dry for most, especially in the south and west, until April 5. However, forecasters warn "some showers, possibly wintry, are likely in the north and east".
The prediction goes on to say: "Nights will be chilly with some frost and early rural mist and fog patches will readily clear each morning. Cloudier conditions will persist in the far north with some light rain or drizzle at times, and patchy mist, fog and low cloud may impact the North Sea coasts.
"Winds will be light for most but breeziest in the far north and extreme southwest. Daytime temperatures are likely to be above average at first, when it will feel warm in the prolonged spring sunshine, but will decline slowly through the period, with a low chance of significantly colder weather spreading from the north for a time."
Looking further ahead, its forecast for April 6-20 says the weather will become more unsettled with "longer periods of rain." Showers, it says, are likely to be heavy at times, with hail and thunder.
The forecast continues: "These showers are likely to be heavy at times, with hail and thunder. Drier and more settled spells are still possible but are likely to be more short-lived than in late March. Showers may be heavy at times, with thunder and hail. There is a greater chance that mid-April onwards will see more settled conditions Temperatures are most likely to be near average, or perhaps slightly below at times."
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