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NI logs warmest weekend of the year

Cecilia Daly
BBC News NI weather presenter
Pacemaker Press A child is holding a football and standing with their mother looking into the camera. They both have blond hair. Daffodils surround them. The woman is wearing black glasses.Pacemaker Press
People took the opportunity to enjoy the weather in Belfast on Sunday

It was the warmest weekend of the year so far but a temperature tumble is on the way.

Temperatures peaked at 17C on both Saturday and Sunday.

Castlederg, County Tyrone reached 17C on Saturday and Killowen in County Down peaked at 17.2C on Sunday.

As is often the case with March, temperatures can be topsy-turvy and the week ahead will see temperatures drop to below the long-term average in some places by Tuesday, with a return of night-time frosts.

Pacemaker Press Four women are rowing a white boat in a river. Three are wearing caps and two are wearing sunglasses. All three have their hair tied back.Pacemaker Press
Rowers enjoyed the nice weather in Belfast on Sunday

Why will temperatures drop?

Weather-wise there won't be too much rain this week, but a few wintry showers are certainly not out of the question, especially on Tuesday.

Why? A change in wind direction.

As an island we are surrounded by sea and where the air is coming from is vital to how warm or cold it will be at this transitional time of year.

The air will originate in Arctic regions and will travel over a very cold sea before it lands on the north coast.

There will be a very noticeable wind chill again which means that, while the thermometer may register 6 or 7C, the air will feel more like 3C on exposed skin.