IPSWICH/FELIXSTOWE: After the freezing cold snap thawed Suffolk is today set to bask in balmy conditions as forecasters reveal that temperatures are expected to soar.

Just a week ago a thick blanket of snow and ice carpeted the county.

But spring will have sprung by Thursday as the mercury is set to reach highs of 16C, bringing unusually warm weather – which is set to stick around until the end of the month.

Weather experts said that today’s frosty start would soon be replaced by warmer conditions, doubling the 7C average for this time of year.

Jim Bacon, a forecaster for WeatherQuest, said: “We are set to see some milder conditions, which I sure will be very welcome.

“After a frosty start this morning – and it will be very frosty – things are set to change.

“The afternoon will be be cloudier and at night the milder area will start to creep up.

“By Tuesday and Wednesday we are getting very mild and by Thursday we could be seeing temperatures up to 15 or 16C which is very promising.”

This week’s weather conditions are set to be a stark comparison to the cold snap which gripped the county at the beginning of the month.

Last month the Star revealed this winter is on course to be the mildest in years.

“Our meteorologist calendar for winter is December, January and February so we won’t have the complete average for temperatures until the end of February,” Mr Bacon added.

“We had a mild stint and then a couple of days of snow, but those wouldn’t have been enough to effect the average.

“Considering we are set to get mild weather again, I would say we are on target for the mildest winter.”

n Send us your spring photos. Log on to iWtitness24.co.uk and upload your selection of snaps.

n What affect has the changing weather had in your neighbourhood? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or send an e-mail to starletters@archant.co.uk