UK weather: Sun-hungry Britons set for a three-month treat with unusually warm weather forecast into June

Unusually powerful winds circulating the polar stratosphere and a La Niña cooling of the Pacific, as well as the warming climate, will set a furnace under the nation’s thermostat.

The Met Office’s three-month seasonal forecast predicts a more than double normal chance of spring being warmer than average.

March, April and May are more likely, also, to be dry with almost zero chance of turning out chilly.

A Met Office spokesman said: “A mix of warm and cooler days, or warm nights, could all contribute to an above-average spring temperature.

“With a greater likelihood of west or south-westerly winds, this spring is unlikely to be cool overall.

“Global weather patterns can affect the UK weather during the coming season... and the drivers relevant to the current outlook are the warming of the UK climate consistent with global warming trends, La Nina... and a stronger-than-usual stratospheric polar vortex.”

While initial signals are hopeful, government forecasters are keen to warn the outlook does not mean wall-to-wall sunshine.

A spokesman said: “While this outlook suggests an increased chance of a warmer period, this does not imply that the period will be dominated by warm, fine weather.

“The outlook does not preclude the possibility of some cold spells with related impacts, such as snow and ice, particularly in the early period.”

Long-range forecasters agree the signs are promising, as temperatures this week rocket close to 20C.

High humidity and sunshine could plunge Britain into an almost tropical run into summer.

Jim Dale, meteorologist for the British Weather Services and co-author of Surviving Extreme Weather, said: “We could see very high humidity during April as the temperatures rise after the long period of rainfall during the winter.

“March may end up being a changeable month, with a mix of warmer periods and rain, but as we get into May, this is when we could see the hot weather start.

“It is likely, though, that every month in spring could come in with above-average temperatures.”

As spring gets underway, temperatures this week in the south and the southeast could nudge 20C.

Northern and western regions face further rain through the middle of the week.

And much of the UK will get some sunshine.

Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir said: “For most, it is dry and you will see the sun as we go into Thursday across many parts.

“Brighter skies are further east, and here is where we will see the highest temperatures, with the top temperature possibly in the home counties of 18C or 19C.

“There is a ridge of high pressure into Friday morning, so there will be a frost particularly across northern Ireland and northern England, even Wales and Scotland.

“It is going to turn colder here with the prospect of some brighter skies coming through.”

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