The Met Office has declared today as the hottest day of the year, with Northolt in Greater London recording a temperature of 19.2C, making it the warmest day of 2026. According to the Met Office, the London area is expected to experience the highest temperatures today, with temperatures in the high teens across the region.
Although temperatures rose significantly today, there is a possibility of a shift in the weather pattern later in the evening, with rainy showers expected in northern England, Wales, and south-east Scotland. BBC Weather forecasts even suggest potential snowfall over the Pennines and Southern Uplands.
Tomorrow, the Met Office predicts the arrival of clouds over most parts of England and Wales, leading to a drop in temperatures to around 11C to 12C. Meanwhile, Ireland and Scotland are likely to continue enjoying sunny weather conditions.
Looking ahead to the weekend, a combination of patchy clouds and sunshine is expected, with temperatures reaching highs of 12C to 13C on Saturday and 14C on Sunday.
Moreover, scientists anticipate a stunning sunset this evening across the country, triggered by dust from the Saharan desert being carried by warm winds towards the UK. This phenomenon may result in what is known as “blood rain” when the dust particles interact with rainfall.
Satellite imagery reveals Saharan dust drifting towards southern parts of the UK, enhancing sunsets but also causing dirt accumulation on cars and windows. The Met Office notes that the dust particles from North Africa will create hazier skies over the weekend, contributing to the recent warm air influx that led to the high temperatures.
The Met Office explains that the color of the dust may vary based on its concentration in the atmosphere, potentially resulting in reddish “blood rain.” This unique weather event occurs when red-colored particles mix with water droplets in clouds.
“The combination of a moist south-westerly airflow and a broad dust plume could lead to some dust settling out with the rain. At this stage, concentrations are expected to remain relatively low, meaning rainfall itself is unlikely to appear noticeably red,” the Met Office elaborated. Instead, a light yellowish or brownish residue may be visible on surfaces post-rainfall.
Furthermore, individuals may observe dust accumulation on their vehicles and windows, along with slightly reduced visibility at higher elevations. It is advisable to postpone vehicle washing plans until later in the week.
The Met Office assures that there are no health concerns associated with the dust, although individuals with respiratory sensitivities may notice an increase in airborne dust levels.
