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Issued: 0730hrs Thursday 17th March 2005
Duty forecaster: Simon Keeling

Get out the suncream!

Kent saw high temperatures of 20C yesterday, and it certainly felt as if spring had arrived across much of southeast England. However, other parts of the country didn’t fair so well, although mild, there was rain.

Today (Thursday) is set to be different. Satellite pictures clearly show more broken cloud through England and Wales, and with the south west winds persisting, temperatures will be rising to between 18 and 20C more widely through England and Wales this afternoon. Check out the latest temperatures here.

And the fine conditions do not end there either. High pressure is going to be building into the south on Friday, and so we may well see warmer conditions then with a possible 21C somewhere over southeastern England.

As the weekend approaches the warm weather stays over all parts of the British Isles and Ireland.

In the sunshine temperatures may reach 20C, with highs of 16 to 17C widespread across the Midlands and eastern England.

Indications for the weekend are that the warm conditions continue through England, Wales and eastern Scotland, although it will stay damp and cooler towards the west.

Whatever the weather, keep the sun shining!
Simon