Forecasters said the most of the UK will stay warm and dry through next week with only parts of the North in for the odd shower.
A northwards shift in the jet stream is allowing high pressure to build over Britain drawing warm air in from the Continent.
Temperatures
across the country will be well above average for the time of year with
the South likely to be even hotter than Corfu.
The region could see widespread highs of 63F or higher in some spots, while the North is likely to nudge into the 50s.
Met Office spokeswoman Laura Young said: “It is going to keep getting warmer this week with 17C possible on Sunday.
“There are not many places which won’t get into double figures.
“High pressure is
building nicely bringing warm air in from the Continent, meaning it is
going to be warm and dry, a nice change from the recent wet weather and storms.
“This
is almost the sort of weather we would expect to see in late spring –
very settled and pleasant with temperatures above-average for the time
of year.”
Jonathan Powell, of Vantage Weather Services, said the burst of spring warmth could last into the middle of March.
He said: “We could easily get an 18C in some parts next week with the highest temperatures to hit the South.”
“The North and parts of the West Coast may see a bit of wind and rain but, other than that, we have high pressure building, keeping it very warm and pleasant.”
The
railway line at Dawlish in Devon, badly damaged when the sea wall was
breached in the recent storms, is to reopen almost two weeks earlier
than planned – on April 4 in time for the Easter holidays. 