March is set to go out with a balmy bang ahead of April's arrival with trademark showers.

Temperatures are expected to rise in parts of the UK with highs of 22C (72F) forecast in the London area.

Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill said: "We are dragging up really warm air from Iberia and with relatively calm conditions in the South East that's what is allowing temperatures to climb."

However, Belfast, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh will peak at 14C (57F), while the mercury will top out at 13C (55F) in Newcastle.

"Saturday is looking quite showery across the whole of the UK, although Sunday will be a pretty decent day for most with calm and bright conditions," Mr Burkill said.

Temperatures so far this month have peaked at 19.9C (67.8F), measured at Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands last Sunday, March 26.

This is already higher than the maximum temperature reported by the Met Office for March 2016 (18.7C/65.7F) and March 2015 (17.4C/63.3F).