Families have been taking advantage of the fine spring weather to get out and about and celebrate Mothering Sunday in the sunshine.

East Anglian Daily Times: Families enjoying the Mother's Day sunshine in Nowton ParkFamilies enjoying the Mother's Day sunshine in Nowton Park (Image: Archant)

In Nowton Park, near Bury St Edmunds, there was a chance to stroll among the daffodils and enjoy afternoon tea in the fresh air.

Several places across Suffolk including Cavendish in the west of the county have already reached temperatures of almost 14C.

According to Weatherquest forecaster Dan Holley, this is a few degrees higher than average for the time of year - and the best is yet to come.

He said the temperatures were being pegged back a degree or two on the coast by an easterly breeze, with visitors to Felixstowe experiencing hazy sunshine. However by Thursday, the region could even reach 18C in places.

East Anglian Daily Times: Above average temperatures for the time of year have enticed people out on Mother's Day. Photo: ANDY ABBOTTAbove average temperatures for the time of year have enticed people out on Mother's Day. Photo: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

“The average this time of year is about 10C so we haven’t done at all bad for a weekend in March,” Mr Holley said.

“There is some low cloud over the North Sea, so some places could get a bit of mist and fog first thing tomorrow morning but the sun should burn that away fairly quickly in the morning.”

Mr Holley said the winds will turn a bit more south westerly towards the middle part of the week.

“We’ll then be importing our air from Spain and France instead so I think some places could be looking at 16C, 17C or maybe the odd 18C, particularly on Thursday.

“However, it doesn’t guarantee sunshine though because we will start to see the risk of some showery outbreaks of rain coming in, but it will remain fairly mild throughout the week,” he added.