A spell of warm weather this weekend is set to bring temperatures in the UK close to the record for February, according to the Met Office.

A large area of high pressure centred over continental Europe is predicted to move across the UK, bringing settled, dry and sunny weather to many.

Temperatures of “up to to 17C (62.6F) are possible” in parts of the country, according to Met Office spokesman Richard Miles.

The current record maximum temperature measured in the UK in February is 19.7C (67.5F), which was set in London on February 13 1998, according to the forecaster.

Winter weather Feb 21st 2019
The sunrise reflects in pools of water on the beach at Whitley Bay, North Tyneside (Owen Humphreys/PA)

The Welsh record temperature for February was set at 18.6C (65.5F) in Powys in 1990, the Scottish was recorded at 17.9C (64.2F) in Aberdeen in 1897 and the highest in Northern Ireland was 17.8C (64.0F) in Bryansford in 1998.

Warmest UK February temperatures
(PA Graphics)

Mr Miles said Scotland could possibly experience record-breaking temperatures for February this weekend, but that “a lot would have to align” for the UK-wide record to be broken.

He added: “It is unlikely from what we are seeing at the moment.”

Despite the unusually high temperatures, the South East of England could see some frost over the weekend.

Mr Miles said: “Everywhere is going to be having a mild weekend, although you might get some light frost in the South East where the skies are clear.”

Western areas of the UK could experience patches of light rain, he added.

Winter weather Feb 21st 2019
Dog walkers stop to photograph the sunrise at Whitley Bay (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Looking forward to next week, the mild conditions seem likely to continue.

Mr Miles said: “It looks like it is going to be much the same sort of picture, at least until Tuesday.

“The first half of next week you are looking at dry and sunny spells.

“Everywhere it is looking pretty mild.”