Cloudy and windy across most parts Wednesday night, although breaks in cloud developed in southern-most areas leading to a local slight frost.

An active weather system moved southeastwards across the UK during Thursday, bringing strong to gale force west to northwesterly winds and spells of rain, mostly light but with some heavier bursts over hills in the north (mainly northwest Scotland).

Rain continued across most parts on Thursday evening with plenty of cloud. However, it stayed mainly dry across northern and southern England with breaks in the cloud developing to the north.

Despite the winds, temperatures were generally close to or above average for the time of year with a late maximum in temperature across the southeast in the evening.

Extremes of Temperature, Rainfall and Sunshine for the 24 hours ending 20/03/2008

Highest Day Max : LEUCHARS, Fife : 15.0C

Lowest Day Max : OKEHAMPTON, Devon : 6.8C

Lowest Night Min : BENSON, Oxfordshire : -2.8C

Highest Rainfall : CASSLEY, Highland : 29.8mm

Highest Sunshine : LERWICK, Shetland : 4.0Hours