UK weather: ‘Spanish plume’ of hot air to send temperatures as high as 17c this weekend

The UK is set to soak up its warmest weekend for nearly five months – but the big freeze is expected to return at the start of March.

A plume of warm air from Spain will see temperatures surge to its highest since early October over the next few days.

The Met Office say highs of up to 17c are possible but anyone hoping the cold snap is over should think again.

They warned the start March is likely to bring snow and ice which is sure to cause more hazardous conditions.

Before the big chill returns, three days of heavy rain is predicted from Sunday night as things take a turn.

But this weekend the mercury will really rise – and that is bad news for the government, who fear people will be more likely to leave their homes for longer to enjoy the warm weather.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: “For the past week the UK has been in a very cold airmass with temperatures well below average.

“This will change through the weekend as milder air moves in.

“From Monday the whole UK will be in the warmer air mass, with daytime temperatures reaching 11c in the south, replacing days which never got above freezing the week before.”

The freezing temperatures and snowfall look set to return from March 2.

According to new weather maps, the wintry blitz set to stay put for at least three days.

The Met Office warns “wintry hazards” could strike at the start of March as temperatures fall across the UK.

They said: “In early March there is a continued signal for higher than average pressure to sit close to or over the UK, with dry and settled conditions most likely.

“Temperatures are predicted to be a little below average at the start of the period, slightly increasing the chances of cold spells occurring.

“During this time there looks to be an increased likelihood of overnight frosts and a risk of wintry hazards, such as snow and ice, although unlikely to be as disruptive as earlier in the year.”