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Balmy spring weather

[Updated 07:00 11/03/2017]

March has started off very mild with the Central England Temperature (CET) running about 2C above the average after the first 10 days. If anything it will become warmer in the short term.

Saturday begins dry across England and Wales, but a band of rain is affecting Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland. Through the day the rain moves eastwards but it becomes increasingly patchy and clearer conditions return behind it. Southern and central regions have a dry day, and after a murky start sunny spells develop in places.

It will be very mild with maximum temperatures ranging from 12C (54F) in northern Scotland to 16C (61F) in southern England. See the rainfall radar for the latest view.

Tonight outbreaks of rain develop widely. Scotland has a cooler night but elsewhere it remains mild.

Tomorrow starts with a risk of wet weather in much of the country. During the afternoon showery bursts of rain continue in central and eastern areas, but brighter conditions return to the west. It remains very mild in the east but the west will be somewhat cooler.

Early next week high pressure leads to a good deal of dry weather, but the risk of rain remains in the north west. It stays very mild and on Tuesday there is an outside chance of temperatures hitting 19C (66F) locally in eastern England. That would be about 9C above the average! The second half of the week probably sees more unsettled and less mild weather spreading southeastwards. Buzz looks at the prospects for the rest of March.

Ensembles at a glance

The 16 day GEFS shows mild and often dry conditions early on. Through the rest of the period it becomes more unsettled and less mild.