North East temperatures in the are expected to be double those in Greece this weekend as the UK looks set to enjoy the warmest weekend of the year so far.
After a cold start to March, warmer weather is finally on the way, with the Met Office predicting "plenty of sunshine" on Saturday and a maximum temperature 14 °C in Newcastle and County Durham. Temperatures in the region are expected to be higher than Mykonos in Greece, where forecasters predict highs of 7°C.
"The weather is really settling down, there is going to be a lot of dry weather, probably for the next week or so," said BBC weather forecaster Darren Bett.
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Elsewhere in the UK temperatures are expected to reach highs of 18°C. It would mean the UK would enjoy temperatures higher than Malaga on the Costa del Sol where there is also rain expected over the next week. The warmest temperatures are predicted in central and southern England and Wales.
This is the weather forecast in the North East for this weekend
Today:
A chilly start with any early fog patches clearing quite quickly. Long sunny spells, especially in the morning, but a little more cloud may develop for the afternoon. Becoming breezy near the coast by evening and feeling colder here. Maximum temperature 14 °C.
Tonight:
A dry night with variable amounts of cloud and some long clear spells developing. Winds becoming light across the region. Frost developing inland with some mist and fog forming later. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
Saturday:
Chilly start to Saturday with some early morning mist and fog patches. A dry day with plenty of sunshine although a noticeable breeze is likely. Maximum temperature 14 °C.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Rather cloudier on Sunday and feeling cooler in the breeze. Risk of some showery rain for a time on Monday with lighter winds. Tuesday fine with some sunshine.
