The UK has endured a “duller than average winter”, said Alex Deakin of the Met Office, but he added “it’s getting warmer, it’s feeling warmer already” and most of the UK can expect clear skies on Friday evening.
Saturday morning runners may find themselves facing a chilly minus 2C across the UK and some may even face freezing fog, but Met Office meteorologist Honor Creswick said there will be “lots of bright weather” around.
The Lake District, central Scotland and Northern Ireland will face a cloudier day on Saturday – which is the first day of meteorological spring – and possibly some rain, but most areas are set for a “fair, dry and sunny” weekend, he added.
Clear skies will mean good conditions for the planetary parade, which is expected to see Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Mercury and Saturn visible simultaneously between sunset and 6.30pm on Friday.
While the middle of March is expected to be unsettled, with spells of rain and strong winds across the UK, dry and bright conditions could develop again later in the month.
