A cold and unsettled spell across the UK is expected to give way to milder conditions from midweek, following several days of wintry showers and below-average temperatures. Forecasters indicate a noticeable, if gradual, improvement as March draws to a close.
The shift comes after an abrupt change from unusually warm mid-March weather, when temperatures reached 20C in some areas, to recent conditions marked by rain, sleet, hail and even snow. The transition back towards more typical spring weather is now underway, though not without some variability.
Milder Temperatures Expected from Tuesday despite Lingering Cloud and Rain
According to the Met Office’s latest forecast issued on Monday morning, temperatures will begin to recover from Tuesday onwards, bringing a more comfortable feel compared to the preceding days. Meteorologist Honor Criswick noted that while Monday remains cool, conditions are already starting to stabilise.
Daytime temperatures on Monday are expected to reach around 13C, similar to Sunday, though lighter winds may make it feel marginally milder. According to the Met Office, much of the UK will experience dry and breezy conditions, with showers largely confined to Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England.
The improvement becomes more apparent into Tuesday, when temperatures are forecast to rise to between 15C and 16C, slightly above the seasonal average. According to Criswick, this increase will be accompanied by more cloud cover and patchy rain or drizzle, limiting sunshine despite the milder air.
Evenings are expected to remain mostly dry initially, although increasing cloud may bring light drizzle in places. A brisk wind is also likely to develop overnight into Tuesday, reinforcing the unsettled but less cold pattern.
Mixed Outlook for April as High Pressure Competes with Unsettled Systems
Looking further ahead, the Met Office suggests a mixed picture for early April, particularly around the Easter period. Fine conditions are currently forecast for Good Friday, though forecasters caution that low pressure systems will remain nearby, leaving the outlook somewhat uncertain.
Between April 3 and April 12, a northwest to southeast split is considered most likely. According to the Met Office’s long-range forecast, northern and northwestern areas are expected to see more unsettled weather, including strong winds and prolonged spells of rain. In contrast, southern and southeastern regions are likely to experience drier and more settled conditions under the influence of high pressure.
Temperatures during this period are forecast to remain near or slightly above average overall, though the risk of overnight frost has not entirely disappeared.
Further into April, from the 13th to the 27th, high pressure is expected to become more dominant, particularly across southern and eastern parts of the UK. According to the Met Office, this pattern would bring more sustained dry and settled weather, alongside temperatures remaining close to or slightly above normal levels.
That said, northern areas may still be affected at times by low pressure systems bringing wetter and windier conditions. Toward the latter part of the month, a shift back to more changeable weather is possible, indicating that fully settled spring conditions may remain intermittent rather than sustained.
