Spring is in the air

SPRING could have sprung in Suffolk as warmer weather finally starts to shake off winter's chill.

Visitors to Ickworth Park at Horringer were treated to a stunning display of snowdrops which have started to timidly show their heads to lift spirits after the bleak winter.

What seemed like balmy temperatures of 12C were recorded in the county yesterday, above the average of 8C to 9C usually expected at this time of year.

Chris Bell, a forecaster at Weatherquest, said temperatures of 11C or 12C were on the horizon for the rest of the week.

As Suffolk basked in spring sunshine yesterday, Mr Bell said the crisp but sunny weather would continue for the next few days.

'The picture at the moment is much more spring-like,' he said. 'Generally, we are climbing out of the colder weather we have had.'

As golden daffodils slowly start to appear, gardeners should enjoy the sunny and dry conditions expected to last until Thursday evening.

But he warned a weather front approaching from the Atlantic on Friday evening could bring with it winds gusting up to 40 to 45mph.

The county got a taste of typical March winds as a 40ft tree toppled yesterday morning in School Lane Martlesham, taking down power lines as it fell. The massive tree blocked the road for the rest of the day as engineers worked to repair the damaged lines.

It could turn wet as well as windy towards the end of the week.

'We are going to start to see some rain coming in late on Thursday and it could be quite heavy,' Mr Bell said. 'The breeze will start to pick up again on Thursday and Friday and it could be quite windy, especially in coastal areas.'

But milder weather and lighter showers will be on the horizon as the Easter weekend approaches.

Average daytime temperatures should reach about 10C, although clear skies and light winds at night could bring ground frosts.

'The weather may calm down a little bit next week,' Mr Bell said. 'We will then get the typical April showers.'