The UK can expect brighter skies and warmer weather next week, with some areas reaching 14C (57.2F), but not before a chilly weekend, when temperatures are expected to drop as low as -2C across the UK.
Early rising dog walkers and joggers across the UK may find themselves caught in freezing fog on Saturday morning according to Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick. Yet the drier and milder conditions of the weekend will give way to sunshine and lots of bright weather next week.
Creswick said the beginning of March would be “actually more lamb-like than lion-like”. The proverb “in like a lion, out like a lamb” is a reference to the tendency for March to shift from cold, wet weather at the beginning of the month to warmer conditions by the end.
In London, temperatures are expected to reach 14C next Wednesday, replacing the grey skies of February.
Spells of rain and strong winds are expected to hit the UK during the middle of March, but dry and bright conditions could develop again later in the month.
Alex Deakin, a meteorologist for the Met Office, said that the UK has experienced a “duller than average winter”. He said: “It’s getting warmer, it’s feeling warmer already” and that most of the country could expect to see clear skies on Friday evening.
This means that good conditions are expected for the planetary parade on Friday evening – a rare alignment of seven planets that will be visible simultaneously between sunset and 6.30pm for the last time until 2040.
Deakin said: “You’ll need a really good view of the horizon [to see some of the planets]. Tonight is being called the peak but even for the next few nights, you’ll be able to see them.”
Clouds are forecast in the Lake District, central Scotland and Northern Ireland on Saturday – which is the first day of meteorological spring – and possibly some rain, but most areas can expect a fair, dry and sunny weekend.
The Met Office has described temperatures for this time of year as “bang-on average”, despite unusually frosty nights over the last few days.
