Conditions will remain relatively cool, though winds are expected to ease compared with recent days. According to the Met Office, England and Wales are likely to experience drier and brighter intervals over the weekend, while Northern Ireland and western Scotland may still see more unsettled weather.
The change follows several days of severe conditions, including strong winds reaching up to 70mph and snowfall across northern regions. These warnings marked a notable shift from the unusually mild weather seen earlier in March, when temperatures briefly climbed close to 20C.
Snow and Wind Warnings Bring Disruption across Northern Regions
Earlier in the week, large parts of the UK faced weather warnings for snow, ice and strong winds. A yellow warning for snow and ice remained in place until 9am on Friday across parts of Scotland, particularly affecting Aberdeenshire and the Highlands. According to the Met Office, between 2 and 5cm of snow was expected in these areas, with up to 10cm possible on higher ground.
Forecasters warned that the snowfall could cause travel disruption and hazardous conditions on untreated surfaces. Roads and pavements were expected to become slippery, increasing the risk of accidents and delays during the morning commute.
Wind warnings also affected several regions on Thursday. Gusts of up to 70mph were recorded across parts of Scotland, northern England, the Midlands, Wales and Yorkshire. These strong winds contrasted sharply with the relatively mild conditions that had dominated much of the month.
Just a week earlier, the UK experienced its warmest day of the year so far. According to the Met Office, temperatures reached 19.2C in Northolt, west London, surpassing the previous record for the year of 18.7C recorded at Kew Gardens. The sudden transition from mild temperatures to strong winds and wintry conditions highlighted the variability often seen in early spring weather across the British Isles.
Meteorologist Alex Deakin explained that although winds were easing slightly, the arrival of colder air meant conditions still felt chilly. He noted that daytime temperatures of around 8 to 9C were below average for the time of year, and the persistent breeze made the air feel colder still.
Brighter Spells Expected, Though Showers Remain Likely
Despite the unsettled start to the week, forecasters say the weekend will bring more settled conditions to many parts of the country. According to the Met Office forecast, Friday was expected to be brighter than previous days, although scattered showers remained likely, particularly in northern and western regions.
These showers could occasionally be heavy and, in some areas, briefly wintry. As evening approaches, clearer spells are expected to develop across much of the country. Forecasters indicated that overnight temperatures may drop low enough for widespread frost and icy patches to form in places.
Saturday is predicted to begin with a cold start, followed by sunny spells and further showers through the day. Most of these showers are expected in the north-west of the UK. Winds should be lighter than earlier in the week, making conditions feel somewhat less harsh despite temperatures remaining in single figures for many areas.
Looking ahead, Sunday is expected to bring increasing cloud cover and outbreaks of rain spreading southeastwards. According to the Met Office outlook, sunshine and blustery showers may follow, with showers turning wintry in northern areas. Wet and windy conditions are likely to persist in the north and west into early next week, while south-eastern regions may see brighter weather and gradually milder temperatures.
