*YOU BEEN SNAP* It's sunshine all the way as forecasters predict 21c by Grand National weekend"

By Miss FB Lyimo*

It looks set to be a sizzler of a week with winter well and truly behind us as forecasters predict 70F by the weekend.
After the driest March for 60 years, much of eastern England will see top temperatures by Thursday, with 21C predicted for many areas of the country.
Meteorologists say it could mark the start of a prolonged period of good weather which will come as welcome news for racegoers at the three-day Grand National meeting at Aintree this weekend.

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After the driest March for 60 years, much of eastern England will see top temperatures by Thursday, with 21C predicted for many areas of the country

The field makes its way around the course at last year's Grand National. A prolonged period of good weather will come as welcome news for racegoers at the three-day Grand National meeting at Aintree this weekend

Emma Pearson, from Positive Weather Solutions said: 'The PWS system continues to point to a dry day for the Grand National, with some limited bright spells, so overcast conditions do look like dominating the day still. Temperatures are expected to be 17C so feeling warm, and perhaps even a touch sultry.'

Looking ahead further, it is hoped the dry conditions will stay good throughout April and into early May.
Ms Pearson predicts a 20 per cent chance of rain for Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding.

WHAT TO EXPECT OVER THE NEXT THREE DAYS

TODAY
Many places starting dry, but outbreaks of rain in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Northern England and Wales through the day. Mostly dry further south but becoming generally cloudy.
TUESDAY
Unsettled, wet and windy.

WEDNESDAY
Rain mostly confined to the north and west; drier but fairly cloudy elsewhere.
                                           Source: Met Office

Giving a more detailed outlook for the month, forecaster Charlotte Haines said: 'A mixture of weather for the month of April, with no pattern settling in for any length of time, with the exception of possibly late month, where a warmer more stable phase of weather might be seen late on and subsequently extend itself into May. 
'For the most part though, unsettled weather to start the month with some dry and sunny spells, plus a fair crop of showers around, some possibly heavy, and temperatures on or slightly above average for the time of year.
'This trend will break into colder conditions, and it is quite feasible that with the continuation of showers nationwide, Scotland and northern England could possibly see some of these turning wintry for a time. 
'The latter part of April sees high pressure establishing itself, although its dominance is not total, allowing showers to continue for some parts of the UK.
'Overall, expect a differing month of weather, where rainfall for most will be slightly above the average, and temperatures on the average, although southern parts of the UK may offer a little more warmth overall than other parts.'