Britons are set to enjoy a sunny beginning to the week after experiencing one of the warmest Februarys on record, as per Met Office forecasts. Despite a cold start to Monday, the UK anticipates mostly dry and bright weather with temperatures around the average for March, accompanied by intermittent showers and brisk winds, particularly on Tuesday and the northwest region. This follows a record warm February for England and Wales and the second warmest February for the UK overall, primarily driven by persistent mild and wet conditions due to Atlantic low-pressure systems. The Met Office’s outlook suggests a continuation of warmer and drier circumstances, with unsettled weather potentially bringing rain from the south or southwest later in the week.

In another development, gardens across England and Wales are witnessing an earlier onset of spring with flowers such as magnolias, camellias, and rhododendrons blooming up to four weeks earlier than usual. This early bloom has been attributed to a mild winter and warm February, signaling the impact of climate change. Andy Jasper from the National Trust noted the widespread early flowering from Cornwall to Scotland, with significant blooms observed in National Trust properties across the regions.

Simultaneously, the UK is preparing for a bout of cold weather due to an expected Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW), which may bring temperatures down to as low as -10C in parts of Scotland. This cold spell could introduce prolonged wintry conditions across the country, contrasting the earlier mild weather. Following this, the UK is expected to see a mix of showers and longer spells of rain, with temperatures likely to be slightly above average in southern areas and near average in the north. This forecast indicates a period of settled conditions with sunny spells and occasional showers, offering pleasant temperatures in the sunshine amidst the transitioning weather patterns.