Blustery showers are predicted for Scotland and Northern Ireland this evening, with heavy rain and wind in the north tomorrow and Tuesday
BRITAIN could see its warmest ever February day this week as the weather reaches high temperatures after heavy rain sweeps through the north tomorrow.
Temperatures could range from a balmy 15C-20C later in the week, with the chance the mercury could nudge above the record set in 1998 of 19.7C.
But before we reach such heady heights, blustery showers are predicted for Scotland and Northern Ireland this evening, with more rain and wind in the north tomorrow and Tuesday.
The Met Office predicts: "Sunny spells and showers for many [tomorrow], the heaviest and most frequent showers in the northwest where it will be windy. The southeast will be cloudier with rain.
"It will be wet and windy across the north on Tuesday while the south will be drier.
"Remaining unsettled further northwest through Wednesday and Thursday, but drier and brighter elsewhere - becoming very mild."
Later this week Britain could be hotter than Australia – where it is summer - as Hobart, Tasmania, is due only 17C highs from midweek.
The Met Office forecast mainly mild temperatures over the month ahead.
Forecaster Simon Partridge said: “The February temperature record is 19.7C - and there's a chance of reaching it, albeit a low chance.
“The mid-teens are likely later in the week ahead, with potential for higher, although it's a bit too early to say.
The February temperature record is 19.7C - and there's a chance of reaching it
Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge
“Monday and Tuesday are at 10-12C – still well above average – before southerly winds return from midweek with 15C.
“Temperatures will generally be on the milder side over the next 30 days, with short colder spells at times.
“We never said the ‘Beast from the East’ was definitely coming. We forecast settled and potentially colder conditions, and we have had colder spells.
“It’s mild rather than cold as high pressure is situated a few hundred miles further to our east, giving a southerly rather than easterly flow.”
Bookmakers Coral cut odds on summer being the hottest ever to 5/2. Coral spokesman Harry Aitkenhead said: “Last year was a scorcher – but 2019 is already simmering and punters reckon this summer will be even hotter.”
Weather experts have scrapped forecasts of a ‘Beast from the East’ chill, blaming warm southerly winds arriving instead of expected cold easterlies.
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The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: “Computer models show record 20C February temperatures are possible from the coming weekend.
“Families flying abroad for half-term sun could have stayed home and gone to a UK beach instead.
“Plumes of warm air from the Sahara are due in coming days and also in spring. 25C is certainly likely by April.
“There's a good chance of another fine summer due to the past 12 months’ continuing pattern of high pressure blocking, which brings hot conditions in summer.”
Met Office forecaster Martin Young said: “It will turn generally very mild again. Temperatures will widely be above the seasonal average.
“For the start of March, temperatures are likely to remain mild overall, with many southern and eastern parts predominantly settled. Atlantic frontal systems will affect northern and western parts.”
A statement from The Weather Company said: “Warmer-than-normal UK conditions are predicted for March and April.”
