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Spring temperatures expected by the weekend Spring temperatures expected by the weekend
(12 days later)
Long-awaited spring weather is finally expected to arrive this weekend as official figures confirm March was the UK's second coldest since 1910.Long-awaited spring weather is finally expected to arrive this weekend as official figures confirm March was the UK's second coldest since 1910.
With last month's temperatures averaging at 2.2C (36F) instead of the typical 5.5C (42F), a return to normal temperatures is expected this weekend. Temperatures in the south are set to reach 10C (50F), only a few degrees below typical April averages, with sunshine spreading across the UK..With last month's temperatures averaging at 2.2C (36F) instead of the typical 5.5C (42F), a return to normal temperatures is expected this weekend. Temperatures in the south are set to reach 10C (50F), only a few degrees below typical April averages, with sunshine spreading across the UK..
But the rise in warmer temperatures will bring unsettled weather including flurries of rain. Matt Dobson, forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "There's definitely a change on the way. We'll notice it next week more than anything, with temperatures returning to normal.But the rise in warmer temperatures will bring unsettled weather including flurries of rain. Matt Dobson, forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "There's definitely a change on the way. We'll notice it next week more than anything, with temperatures returning to normal.
"Saturday looks like a lovely day for the south. Cold but plenty of sunshine around, although there will be a frosty start. By the end of Saturday it could get up to 10C in the south, which is a few degrees warmer than we have seen and just below the average for April."Saturday looks like a lovely day for the south. Cold but plenty of sunshine around, although there will be a frosty start. By the end of Saturday it could get up to 10C in the south, which is a few degrees warmer than we have seen and just below the average for April.
"In the north it will still be fairly cold even on Saturday with rain and sleet about."In the north it will still be fairly cold even on Saturday with rain and sleet about.
"Temperatures are on the up but the weather won't be that nice. It is turning less cold with temperatures returning to normal but with that rise we'll have lots of rain.""Temperatures are on the up but the weather won't be that nice. It is turning less cold with temperatures returning to normal but with that rise we'll have lots of rain."
Average temperatures across the UK will reach 7C to 8C (44F to 46F) on Saturday, rising to 9C (48F) on Sunday and could continue to rise during the week, according to the Met Office. Temperatures will nearly hit 11C (51F), the average maximum temperature for April nationally, but will still be a few degrees away from the London average of 12C (53F). Dan Williams, of the Met Office, said: "What we'll see is temperatures going much closer to the average but we'll see more unsettled weather with it, about with some brighter, drier spells."Average temperatures across the UK will reach 7C to 8C (44F to 46F) on Saturday, rising to 9C (48F) on Sunday and could continue to rise during the week, according to the Met Office. Temperatures will nearly hit 11C (51F), the average maximum temperature for April nationally, but will still be a few degrees away from the London average of 12C (53F). Dan Williams, of the Met Office, said: "What we'll see is temperatures going much closer to the average but we'll see more unsettled weather with it, about with some brighter, drier spells."
The news will be welcomed after Britons suffered the second coldest March on record, beaten only by March 1962 with a record-breaking average temperature of 1.9C (35F).The news will be welcomed after Britons suffered the second coldest March on record, beaten only by March 1962 with a record-breaking average temperature of 1.9C (35F).
This March shared its average temperature of 2.2C (36F) with March 1947, following Met Office figures. It was also much drier than average for the UK, with 62.1mm of rain falling during the month – just 65% of the 95.1mm average.This March shared its average temperature of 2.2C (36F) with March 1947, following Met Office figures. It was also much drier than average for the UK, with 62.1mm of rain falling during the month – just 65% of the 95.1mm average.
Sunshine hours were also slightly down compared to average, with 82.9 hours for the UK notching up 81% of the average.Sunshine hours were also slightly down compared to average, with 82.9 hours for the UK notching up 81% of the average.
The cold and dry conditions seen in March were largely due to high pressure dominating UK weather patterns, allowing cold and relatively dry air to move in from the east.The cold and dry conditions seen in March were largely due to high pressure dominating UK weather patterns, allowing cold and relatively dry air to move in from the east.
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