Where is there a bit more sunshine? Half term getaways.

We’ve had a few milder days in January but it’s still dark and will turn cold and frosty again, then its wet and windy with the threat of snow and ice. Thoughts turn to the next holiday, something to look forward to in summer, maybe Easter or even February half term. February can be the UK's coldest month, the lag in summer/autumn warmth being stored in our oceans means even though December has less sunshine, the seas are at their coldest a few months later. There will also be more snow about in the northern hemisphere in these months, reflecting solar energy back into space, it's not heating up the land, and we are more likely to see colder air masses from the north in winter, plunging Arctic air our way.

If that makes you want a holiday even more, here’s a look at where is warmer and hopefully sunnier in February. 

The Canaries

Around 4.5 hours away, you may not want to be travelling much further with small children. The golden beaches and its distance south are enticing enough, the promise of warmth.

The Spanish Met service cover forecasts and warnings for the Canaries. Tweets from @AEMET_Canarias

If you do venture inland it is much colder higher up, especially if you walk up Mount Teide.

Currently, daytime temperatures are from 14 to 19C and overnight it dips to 11C, so cool. You will need your sunscreen and the breeze can still be cooling on the islands, often coming in from the NE. February won’t be as settled as the summer months and although there can be fine sunshine there are also showery, blustery unsettled spells too. The average temperature is around 21C (70F) and 6 hours of sunshine on average. 

The Algarve

In the far south of Portugal, this region does feel the effects of the Atlantic with wet and windy spells but is milder than the UK. Average Feb temperatures are 17C but the weather is quite unsettled in February. The Portuguese Met service gives forecasts and warnings, the IPMA. There have been problems with drought across Iberia, and at other times of the year problems with wildfires in Portugal, particularly in the north. You can keep an eye on any rain showers at the IPMA radar. @ipma_pt

The average temperatures are still 17C, that is pleasant enough with about 6 hours of sunshine. It can still be blustery with spells of showers moving through but overall cheerier than here. 

Abu Dhabi

For guaranteed sunshine and heat, you will have to travel further afield at this time of year, over 7 hours to the United Arab Emirates. With a  sub-tropical, arid climate, you can expect sunshine, blue skies and temperatures in the 20s Celsius. It is unlikely to rain, but it might and temperatures would be around 15C by night and 25C by day. It will be the air conditioning which could give you chill rather than the weather. Keep an eye on Aljazeera Weather, you may even spot a few familiar faces from UK TV broadcasts.

Jersey

The Channel Islands are hardly any distance from the mainland Britain and under an hours' flight from Northern Ireland. Known for their summer sunshine, the islands can be quite damp, grey and windy in winter. the same could be said for much of the UK. 

Jersey Met gives daily forecasts, Channel Islands warnings and close up radar. @Jersey_Met 

The average February temperature is only 8.4C with a risk of frost and gales and quite unsettled weather. 

You can check forecasts for holiday resorts worldwide on our holiday weather pages.  Just staying at home and dreaming of summer? Here's the forecast for your location across the UK.