UK could be almost as warm as Madrid this week

Temperatures early next week are expected to be above average in the UK for the time of year, forecasters have said.

Monday could reach 17C (62.6F) in parts of the south, most likely around the Welsh Marches, which would be almost as warm as Madrid, where 18C (64.4F) is predicted. The higher temperatures are expected to be accompanied by cloudy weather and "fairly strong" winds and rain coming in from the southwest, said the Met Office.

See the weather forecast in your area Conditions are expected to stay mild for a few more days after that, before dropping back on Thursday. And looking further ahead, after a wet and windy first half of the month, weather patterns look like settling, with dry periods set to become more common, near average temperatures and a risk of overnight frost.

Met Office meteorologist Gregory Dewhurst said: "Come Monday, maximum temperatures will be between 14C and 15C, maybe even 17C, so a good few degrees above average." Before then, the Met Office said it will become drier with clear periods on Saturday evening. However, blustery showers will continue in the far north and west.

It said: "More rain will feed eastwards into England and Wales overnight. Thunder is possible.

Wet and windy weather arriving in the northwest later too." On Sunday, rain will clear from eastern England, leaving most areas with sunshine and scattered showers. It will be "still breezy, and windy across northern and western Scotland where showers will be heavier and persistent".

The weather agency added: "Monday looks generally cloudy and windy with rain at times, the heaviest in the west. "Brighter weather, though with heavy showers on Tuesday.

More rain arriving mid-week. Much milder overall." Read more from Sky News:Man who died in helicopter crash is namedTens of thousands line the streets for Novi Sad tragedyWhile some snow is expected on mountain tops this weekend, Mr Dewhurst added there is no risk of snow for the majority of the UK this month.

He also said Hurricane Melissa, which came ashore in Jamaica as a category five hurricane last Tuesday and swept through the Caribbean, will have "minimal" influence on the UK..