Spring’s warmest spell yet is set to arrive this week, with temperatures forecast to climb as high as 18C in parts of the UK, potentially making it the hottest day of the year so far. The North East of England is expected to share in the balmy conditions, with forecasts suggesting the region could be as warm as Ibiza.
After a start to the year that has felt worse than the seasonal average, a shift in weather patterns is now anticipated. Meteorologists regard March 1st as the beginning of spring, and the coming days are expected to bring a noticeable upturn, with high pressure building to deliver fine and settled conditions for much of the country.
A Two-Day Warm Spell to Peak on Thursday
According to the Met Office, the rise in temperature will be a gradual but welcome one. Tuesday is expected to be fine and settled for most, with the best of the sunshine across Northern Ireland, northern England and Scotland. Conditions will be more mixed further south, with a combination of sunny spells and drizzly showers. Wednesday is then set to be fine for the majority, with England and Wales seeing the most sunshine, while cloud and rain are predicted for Northern Ireland and south-west Scotland.
It is on Thursday that the mercury is expected to peak. The Met Office forecasts that temperatures could reach 18C in the south east of England. This follows a high of 18.7C recorded last week at Kew Gardens, which currently stands as the warmest day of 2026. Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk confirmed that there is a possibility Thursday could surpass that figure.
“The sunshine will be focused across the south east, while the west of the UK can expect outbreaks,” she said. Advanced weather modelling maps from WX CHARTS support this outlook, showing warmer than expected temperatures across large areas, with deep red on temperature anomaly maps indicating where the mercury will rise higher than is usual for this time of year.
North East Set to Match Holiday Hotspot Ibiza
The North East of England is also in line for a share of the pleasant weather. While the south east may see the highest peaks, the forecast for Newcastle and the surrounding region points to a balmy 14C on Thursday. This figure, according to reports, equals the current forecast for the popular Spanish holiday island of Ibiza, which is also expecting highs of 14C on the same day.
The BBC Weather forecast for areas around Newcastle and Northumberland suggests sunny intervals and a gentle breeze for Thursday, with some light cloud possible in Durham. The arrival of this warmer spell is a notable shift after a period of below-average conditions. The high pressure building from Tuesday will be the driving force behind the settled weather, allowing temperatures to rise progressively through the middle of the week. For many, it will offer a first real taste of spring and a welcome opportunity to spend time outdoors.
