SPRING has finally sprung – thanks to a little help from a group of volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic.

The sunshine and blue skies are just a snapshot of things to come, as forecasters said the spring-like conditions are here to stay this week as the warm temperatures drift up from the Azore islands.

With temperatures reaching 20.3C in parts of Suffolk yesterday, families flocked attractions around the county to enjoy the balmy joys of the hottest day of the year so far.

After months of bitter chills, dull grey skies, snow and rain, the icy grip has finally loosened and the bright sunshine was the first sign that winter is officially over.

Phil Garner, a forecaster for WeatherQuest, said temperatures were about 8C above average in parts of Suffolk, in a weather cycle which was being brought up from the central Atlantic.

“The warmest for the East as a whole has been in Gravesend, where they have had reports of 21.4C. In Mildenhall it has also been 20.3C. At Wattisham they reported temperatures of 18.1C.

“The warmest temperatures in Suffolk have been in central and western parts of the county but on a whole it has been at least 18 or 19C.

“It is the start of the spring-like weather and it does look set to be spring-like for the rest of the week.

“Spring conditions can be mixed so we are looking at seeing some nice temperatures still at 15 or 16C on Monday and Tuesday.

“There will be some patchy rain on Tuesday. By next weekend there might be a ground frost.

“But we definitely are seeing improved temperatures, which normally sit at an average of 12C for this time of year.”

“The warmer weather is coming up from the Azores and the central Atlantic.”

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