Spring warmth to return this weekend

Last weekend saw cold polar maritime air spread across the UK, with frosty nights returning, as well as some snow over the hills.

However, this weekend will see spring warmth return to our shores, with warmer air feeding in from the continent.

In recent days, an easterly wind has delivered cloud and rain, accompanied by a noticeable chill – reminding us that the influence of winter lurks close by. 

Spring is a fickle season when it comes to our weather, because it acts as a buffer between winter and summer.

As I wrote in a recent blog, the range of weather that can be experienced in March is huge. Whilst March this year has been kind, the same time last year saw the coldest spring in 50 years, with much of the UK covered in snow.

So, what can we expect the weather to bring us this weekend?

Rising temperatures

The change in how the weather feels this weekend will be driven by a change in wind direction from a chilly easterly to a warmer south easterly.

Wind direction is crucial, as it determines where the air that affects us originates. This weekend the air will be coming from the Mediterranean – hence the warming trend.

From Sunday to Monday, England and Wales will have temperatures generally in the range of 14-20C, with a the chance that a few places in south east England will reach 21C.

Scotland and Northern Ireland won’t be as warm, but still warmer than recent days, with highs of 10-16C.

Sunshine

One important thing to emphasise is that not everywhere will have sunshine all the time. There will be variation in cloud amounts from day to day, with local effects coming in to play.

This weekend, Northern Ireland, Wales and south west England may be cloudier for a time with showers. In addition, coastal areas of eastern Scotland and northeast England will have low cloud and a chilly breeze off the North Sea.

However, elsewhere, it’ll be mainly dry with decent spells of sunshine and a light to moderate south easterly breeze.

Next week

At the moment, the detail for next week is uncertain, but it does look as though it’ll turn progressively cooler and more unsettled from the west.

This means that the warmth and sunshine may hold on in eastern areas on Monday, whereas western areas will see cloud and rain arrive.

As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end!