The popular Spanish destination is forecast to reach highs of around 18°C later this week, meaning London could be enjoying warmer afternoons than one of Europe’s go-to spots for spring sun.
According to the Met Office, high pressure is bringing a spell of dry and settled conditions across much of the UK, with the South East likely to see the best of the sunshine.
The fine weather began today (Monday, March 31), with sunny intervals and a high of 17°C.
Temperatures will dip to around 5°C overnight, with clear skies leading to a chilly start on Tuesday.
The rest of the week looks just as bright, with clear skies and above-average temperatures continuing through to the weekend.
Wednesday will see highs of 16°C, rising to 19°C on Thursday and peaking at 20°C on Friday.
Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said most of the UK will see “fine, dry and sunny” conditions, with daytime temperatures a few degrees above normal for early April.
While days will feel pleasantly warm, overnight temperatures are expected to drop into the low single digits, bringing a risk of patchy frost, particularly in more sheltered areas.
Gardeners are being advised to hold off planting tender plants until overnight temperatures rise.
Here’s how the week is shaping up in London:
London temperatures this week:
• Monday, March 31 – High: 17°C | Low: 5°C
• Tuesday, April 1 – High: 15°C | Low: 7°C
• Wednesday, April 2 – High: 16°C | Low: 7°C
• Thursday, April 3 – High: 19°C | Low: 7°C
• Friday, April 4 – High: 20°C | Low: 5°C
• Saturday, April 5 – High: 15°C | Low: 4°C
• Sunday, April 6 – High: 14°C | Low: 4°C
The weekend will remain dry with plenty of sunshine, though temperatures will fall slightly from Friday’s peak. Winds may pick up slightly in western and central parts of the UK towards the end of the week, but conditions in London are expected to stay calm and bright.
With no rain in the forecast and longer daylight hours, it’s looking like an ideal start to April for those hoping to spend more time outdoors.
Simon Partridge, a meteorologist at the Met Office, explained: “High pressure is building over the UK.
“(On Monday), Northern Ireland, Scotland and north-west England will be rather cloudy, with the very odd spot of rain possible across north-west Scotland – but all in all, it’s mostly dry.
“Temperature-wise, we’re looking around about 17C to 18C, and quite widely as well.
“Most parts of the UK will be sort of mid to high teens tomorrow – so yes, a very nice day.
“And then from there on in, it doesn’t change a great deal: most days are fine, dry and sunny, which is great.”
Mr Partridge said daytime temperatures are set to climb a few degrees above average every day, though chilly temperatures will likely follow the daytime warmth, with clear skies potentially leading to some frost.
He said: “Night-time temperatures are almost exactly on average, so overnight we’re getting pretty much what we should be getting.
“But by day it will be a good few degrees above average this week.”
Mr Partridge added: “Because we’ve got light winds and clear skies, and it’s still quite early in the year, there’s still a chance that we’ll see a touch of frost overnight most nights this week, but not much.
“It’s just something for those people that are out and about getting their gardens ready: don’t put the new plants out just yet.
“Once temperatures go down to sort of three-ish, you can easily get a touch of frost.”
Towards the end of the week, winds may pick up in the West and in the UK’s central areas as the high pressure moves slightly further east, the forecaster added.
“But nothing too bad,” Mr Partridge said.
“Generally dry weather, plenty of sunshine, just turning breezier as the week goes on.”
