Weather forecast for Greater Manchester this week as sunshine, showers and thunder all predicted

The Met Office has forecast a March mixture of sunshine and showers - some heavy - together with thunder on Friday across Greater Manchester this week.

But as spring slowly starts to burst into life, temperatures should be milder after the recent chilly conditions, with predicted average highs across the city region of around 12C.

Overcast conditions on Monday are expected to change to heavy rainfall by early evening, downpours which are likely to continue overnight. Temperatures reaching as high as 14C are forecast from around 4pm.

The Met Office said: "A cloudy day with rain easing for a time during the morning, before further rain arrives from the southwest later, this often heavy and persistent into the evening. Windy, particularly at the coast, but mild. Maximum temperature 14C."

Tuesday paints a similar picture. According to the Met Office, a cloudy start will greet the day before heavy rain again sweeps in by late morning. Sunshine is expected by noon and the evening should be drier with temperatures reaching around 13C.

"A day of sunny spells and scattered showers, before cloud thickens during the afternoon and rain arrives from the west later," said the Met Office. "Breezy, particularly at exposed coasts and over high ground. Maximum temperature 14C."

A rainy start to Wednesday is forecast to make way for the brightest day of the week. The chances of rain on Wednesday are far less than the rest of the week, with the morning's heavy showers forecast to change to sunny skies by lunchtime.

A similar forecast is in place for Thursday, with highs of 12C predicted and light showers in the morning turning to sunny intervals by late morning, but with a risk of showers from later afternoon.

The Met Office forecast a