Britons who have been enjoying the recent spring-like conditions might be in for a disappointing weekend ahead as temperatures are expected to drop, accompanied by heavy rainfall.
Meteorological spring kicked off on March 1, bringing sunny and relatively mild weather, a pleasant change after a prolonged cold spell. On Thursday, Northolt in west London recorded a high temperature of 19.2C, marking the highest temperature so far this year.
However, the recent warm spell is not set to continue for long, as indicated by the latest weather forecasts. A significant temperature drop is anticipated along with substantial rainfall.
According to the latest weather maps from WXCharts, temperatures are projected to decrease starting next Friday, March 13, with maximum temperatures reaching 8C. The coldest regions, typically in Scotland and Northern Ireland, are expected to see lows between 0C and 1C, while London and the southeast will experience higher temperatures.
The following day, temperatures will vary from lows of 4C to highs of 9C from north to south, coinciding with a large rain system covering most of the country.
Forecasts suggest a substantial band of rain arriving from the west early on Saturday, blanketing the UK and persisting until late Sunday, particularly affecting the west coast with heavy rainfall. Scotland is anticipated to see significant snowfall continuing into the afternoon.
Temperatures are expected to rise slightly on Sunday, ranging from 10C to 11C in England and dropping to around -1C to 0C in Scotland, a trend that is likely to continue into the following day.
By Monday, March 16, temperatures could reach just 2C in England and even lower, down to -3C in the Scottish Highlands. The Met Office’s long-range forecast for the period from March 11 to March 20 predicts “unsettled” conditions across the UK, with temperatures potentially above average.
Forecasters indicate that the UK will be situated between high pressure in Europe and low pressure over the North Atlantic, resulting in varying weather patterns, including rain and stronger winds in western areas. Eastern regions may experience drier intervals, although some rain is still possible. Mid-March could see more widespread unsettled conditions with increased chances of rain and strong winds, but temperatures are expected to remain slightly above average.
