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Wednesday starts dry and clear spells overnight have led to patchy frost despite yesterday's remarkable warmth. The combination of cloudless skies, relatively long nights and exceptionally mild upper level air is leading to very large diurnal temperature ranges at the moment. This morning sunny periods develop in much of the country and temperatures rapidly climb again. It will feel warm this afternoon. Western Scotland and Northern Ireland have cloudier conditions through the day.

Temperatures range from 13C (55F) to 20C (68F) this afternoon and probably won't be quite as high as yesterday's. See the rain and precipitation type radar for the latest view.

February temperature record smashed again!

A new high UK February temperature was set yesterday for the second successive day. Kew Gardens in London reached 21.2C (70.16F). It is the first time 70F has been recorded during the winter months in the UK and beats the 20.3C (68.54F) recorded at Trawsgoed, Ceredigion, Wales the previous day.

GFS, temperatures, 15:00 GMT Wed 27th February

Tonight clear spells in the north and east lead to a risk of patchy frost. Elsewhere it will be cloudier and by the morning showery outbreaks of rain spread into the south west and Wales.

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Tomorrow heavy showery rain spreads eastwards across southern and central regions. The north should be mainly dry but there is likely to be a lot of cloud. It remains mild for the time of year, although temperatures will be lower than in recent days.

Meteo France Arpege, rain, 12:00 GMT Thu 28th February

All change for spring

The meteorological spring starts on Friday. Central and eastern regions have a bright day and temperatures remain above the seasonal average. In Northern Ireland outbreaks of rain move in from the Atlantic and during the afternoon they extend into western Britain. 

Unsettled weather is expected this weekend with Atlantic disturbances bringing wet and windy spells. A westerly flow becomes established and there is a risk of gales or even severe gales in the north west.

The unsettled theme continues next week. It is also likely to become colder and in the north there is an increasing risk of snow. 

GFS pressure and precipitation type, 12:00 GMT Sun 3rd March

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Exceptionally mild conditions are shown at the start of the period. A change to cooler and more unsettled conditions quickly develops and then continues for the rest of the period. View latest GEFS.