IMPORTANT : ARCHIVED CONTENT

Spring forecast issued 

[Updated 15:35 28/02/2017]

Today is the last day of what has been quite a mild meteorological winter. The TWO spring forecast covering March, April and May has been issued and the headline is for a warmer than average season. 

This morning begins with showers in Northern Ireland and north west England, but elsewhere it is mostly dry. Through the course of the day heavy showers spread across western and central regions. At times they could merge together and over higher ground some wet snow is possible. During the afternoon the showers filter into the south east and brighter conditions start returning to the west. Scotland has scattered wintry showers but there should be quite a lot of dry periods.

It will be quite cold with temperatures ranging from 5C (41F) in Scotland to 8C (46F) in the south east. See the rainfall and precipitation type radar for the latest view.

Tonight showers continue in the north west but elsewhere it becomes dry and quite a widespread frost develops. During the second half of the night cloud builds in the south west. 

Tomorrow morning heavy rain reaches the south west. Through the course of the day wet weather steadily pushes northeastwards but Scotland and northern England remain mostly dry.

During the rest of the week it remains unsettled with the heaviest spells of rain likely to be in central and southern regions. In the south it becomes milder at times, but central and northern areas remain cold with a risk of snow over high ground. Buzz looks ahead to early March.

Ensembles at a glance

The 16 day GEFS show unsettled conditions early in the period. The second week of March could bring drier weather.