The UK is set for a damp and dull start to spring as rain and cloud cover are set to spread across the country this week – but March is set to be drier than normal with some sun and above average temperatures predicted.
Today marks the first day of meteorological spring which every year starts on March 1 and ends on May 31.
The Met Office has predicted a ‘largely settled’ start to this period of the year, with sunny spells across the north and west while some light rain and occasional bright spells are expected across the south and east.
As the season progresses, high pressure over the south is likely to bring settled and dry weather, with the northwest at the greatest risk of ‘unsettled spells’, the Met Office said.
Forecasters say temperatures are expected to be around or just above average for many parts of the UK. The Met Office said March is likely to remain mild but some brief colder spells have been predicted.
Despite the improved weather predicted for much of the country, five flood warnings from the Environment Agency remain in place after recent weeks of high winds and heavy rain, with many parts of the UK still under water.
These warnings are in place at the River Lugg, south of Leominster, the River Severn in Gloucestershire, the Severn Vyrnwy confluence, the Tern and Perry catchments and the Tidal Thames riverside from Putney Bridge to Teddington Weir.
Much of the UK saw a damp and dull first day of meteorological spring. Rain fell in Gravesend, Kent, as motorists made their way to work on Tuesday morning
Outbreaks of rain are predicted for south and eastern parts of the UK, including in Gravesend, Kent (pictured), before showers are due to hit the north later
Clouds and outbreaks of rain are expected in the south this evening but that area of the country is expected to see milder weather throughout March. Pictured: a man walks in the rain in Gravesend, Kent, on Tuesday morning
The start of this week has been cloudy for most parts of the UK, but rain is predicted for areas of the south as the week goes on.
Today, the cloud cover is expected to continue for much of the UK with outbreaks of rain predicted for south eastern parts of England before showers are due to hit the north later, according to the Met Office.
Tonight, forecasters say, there will be clears spells allowing a frost and possibly a few fog patches to develop in the north.
In southern areas, clouds and outbreaks of rain are expected this evening before edging into central areas later tonight.
Into tomorrow, it is expected to be a dry and bright start for much of Scotland and northern England, but there will be cloud and occasional rain further south, spreading to other western parts, the Met Office predicted.
In the northwest, it is predicted to turn breezy with strong winds and, by Thursday, a slow moving band of cloud and rain is expected to make its way across.
The east and southeast are expected to see the best of the brightness, according to the Met Office, but it will become drier and brighter for many, bringing about overnight frost.
The Met Office said meteorological seasons are based on the annual temperature cycle and measure the meteorological state, as well as coinciding with the calendar to determine a clear transition between the seasons.
The meteorological seasons consist of splitting the seasons into four periods made up of three months each.
These seasons are split to coincide with our Gregorian calendar, making it easier for meteorological observing and forecasting to compare seasonal and monthly statistics.
According to the meteorological calendar, spring will always start on March 1 and end on May 31.
Spring runs from March, through April and May, with summer from June to August, autumn from September to the end of November and winter from December through to the last day of February.
According to astronomical seasons – which refer to the position of Earth’s orbit in relation to the sun – spring is due to start on March 20, 2022, ending on June 21, 2022.
The dull and mild weather predicted comes as much of the UK remains flooded including in Gloucestershire where the River Severn flooded fields around Apperley (pictured)
Flooding around Tewkesbury Abbey, in Gloucestershire, on Monday, February 28, where the rivers Severn and Avon meet
Properties in Apperley, Gloucestershire, surrounded by water from the River Severn. A flood warning remains in place
The dry and mild conditions predicted for much of the UK as spring stars will come as a welcome relief after three named storms brought weeks of strong winds and heavy rain to almost all areas.
Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin caused problems across the country and around 400 properties were flooded.
The Environment Agency had 25 flood warnings and 29 flood alerts in place in England at one stage.
And last week, snow led to school closures in some Scottish areas and caused difficult driving conditions.
Schools were also forced to shut in Northern Ireland where people faced disruption after much of the country was blanketed by overnight snow.
