The Met Office has revealed the exact dates Britain could see its mercury soar to near-summer temperatures amid reports of a North African plume heading this way.
Weather maps generated by Netweather show Britain basking in maximum temperatures ranging between 10C to 14C in England and Wales at 3pm on March 17.
Parts of North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Northumberland and London could see maximums of 14C on that date, according to Netweather.
But a Met Office spokesman told Express.co.uk Britain could see the mercury rise up to 14C sooner. He said: “It is likely we may see temperatures reach around 14C this Saturday in the southeast of England, before turning a little cooler again on Sunday.
“As March is one of our spring months we see the average temperatures across the UK continue to rise as the month goes on.
“By the end of the month the average max temperature across the south of England is around 14C, so seeing temperatures of 14C on Saturday is slightly above average.”
Weather maps generated by WX Charts using MetDesk data show 10C to 11C in the south of England at 6pm on Saturday, with 10C in East Anglia, 8C to 9C in the West Midlands, 7C to 8C in Wales and 4C to 7C in the north of England.
Scotland will feel the chillers, with maximum temperatures ranging from 5C in the north and south, but 2C to 3C in central areas, according to WX Charts.
The Met Office spokesman added temperatures going forward are likely to hover around average for the most part, although some briefer colder and milder interludes are likely. He said: “So we would expect to at least reach 14C again at times during the rest of the month.”
According to Jim Dale, a senior meteorologist for British Weather Services, there’s a risk of a North African plume making its way to Britain during the latter part of March.
He previously told Express.co.uk: “There are longer term signals for notably warmer weather during the final third of the month, dependent upon what looks like a hot African plume pushing through Portugal and Spain.
“We normally see this in summer. It can last a day or more than a week or two when it happens, but if & when it does arrive it doesn’t go unnoticed. We are entering the season of contrasts, but patience may be required.”
Met Office UK five day weather forecast
Thursday, March 7 – Monday, March 11
Headline: Dry for many on Friday, but turning unsettled by Saturday.
This evening and tonight: Variable, and often large, amounts of cloud tonight. Patchy rain and showers will move across parts of Scotland and northern England, and for a time across Wales and Northern Ireland. Staying breezy, with frost generally limited to sheltered western areas.
Friday: Most places will have a dry day with some bright or sunny spells, the best of which are likely across southern England and western Scotland. Feeling chilly in brisk winds.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday: Generally turning more unsettled. Often cloudy with some outbreaks of rain, becoming locally heavy. Some snow over the Scottish mountains. Continuing to feel rather cold in fresh, locally strong winds.
