Forecasters predict Spring preview across France

Monday's overcast conditions in France - especially in the west and southwest - did not augur well for the week's weather prospects, but forecasters have predicted warmer, sunnier weather for the rest of the week.

After the dismal Monday in which much of the country was covered by cloud and which featured a minor épisode méditerranéen in the old Languedoc-Rousillon region, an early but all-too brief Spring preview is on the cards on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The sunny conditions will bring rising temperatures on Tuesday, with the mercury rising to 18C in Paris, 17C in Nice, 19C in Biarritz - and even 12C in Brest, though rain will stick around stubbornly in the far north of the country.

Most parts of the country will see dawn-to-dusk sunshine with few clouds on Wednesday, though the wind is expected to be strong in the south west - before the rain returns to parts of the southwest and northwest on Thursday.

There will be rather more cloud on Friday to break up the sun, but the weekend will still remain sunny. If temperatures drop, they will still remain well above seasonal norms.