Sunday, 24 February 2013

It's so warm even the dogs are in sunglasses! Beachgoers enjoy a spot of winter warmth as forecasters say it will be a rain-free half-term

Mercury hits 11C in parts of the north west and mid Wales as Brits enjoyed the warm wintry weather
Early morning cloud hung over River Thames obscuring the city's landmarks and reducing visibility to 15m
Poor visibility due to fog also caused problems at Heathrow Airport where 63 flights were cancelled
The Met Office said today's temperatures will reach up to 8C at the tip of Cornwall

PUBLISHED: 10:51, 19 February 2013 | UPDATED: 17:12, 19 February 2013

Britain basked in a swathe of sunshine today as temperatures hit double figures and even dogs donned sunglasses.

As the mercury hit 11C in parts of the north west and mid Wales, Brits were out in force enjoying the warm wintry weather on the south coast.

And, while forecasters said temperatures will dip towards the end of the week, it is set to be a fine and dry half-term for most of the country.

A little terrier ready to hit the waves as it toddles along Portstewart Strand in County Londonderry

Walkies! These two dogs were out enjoying the sun today as Northern Ireland basked in warm temperatures

It's still only February, but day-trippers were enjoying the sunshine on Brighton Beach this afternoon

People took to the beach in Brighton today as the sun peeked out

However, from tomorrow, Britain will again be blighted by biting winds and frost, with an increasing chance of snow as icy gusts blow in from Scandinavia.

After the glorious weekend weather continued into yesterday, when much of the country was in sunshine, the mercury will plunge back towards freezing.

By Thursday, temperature highs will fall significantly below average to just 4C, and will stay there throughout the weekend. Night time temperatures will fall as low as -4C.

Forecasters say that parts of the east coast will be hit by snow flurries that will blow in over the North Sea.

John Lee, of MeteoGroup, said: 'There's only a risk of wintery flurries along the eastern side of England, where it will be windy and the temperature will be low.'

But there is at least one more day of the good weather to enjoy.

Lucy Rai, three, delights in the glory of thousands of crocuses which have finally, two weeks later than expected, come into bloom at The University of Leicester Botanic Garden in Oadby, Leicestershire

Anastasia the Amur Tigress sunbathes on a beautiful springlike day at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire

Meg, eight, and Morgan, 12, from Devon, looking at snowdrops at the Rococo Gardens, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire

Today most of the country had dry and sunny conditions with 9C in the North and 11C in the South.

The Met Office said today's temperatures reached up to 8C at the tip of Cornwall with around 6C in western coastal areas.

Temperatures will hover around freezing across most of the South tonight. While winds are expected to reach speeds of 25mph in South Western areas making it feel even colder.