The Met Office has warned that London and much of the UK could experience a 'cold plunge' following the warmest day of the year so far. After temperatures reached 20.9°C in Gogerddan, Wales, on Wednesday, forecasters say a sharp drop is on the horizon.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin stated that snow is possible in Scotland and that particularly cold nights are expected. In London, highs are set to fall from the mid-to-high teens to around 10–13°C in the coming days, with daytime temperatures slipping into single digits by midweek and a risk of frost overnight.
Deakin explained: 'If we look at the temperature profile for the next few days, then we really notice that difference by the time we get to Wednesday. Temperatures by Wednesday (will be) single digits for many, and that’s the max, so it’s going to get cold at night. Probably the peak of that cold will be on Wednesday night, that’s when the cold plunge really comes in.'
While the warm spell brought clear skies and sunshine, conditions in London are expected to turn more unsettled, with cloud, breezier conditions and the chance of showers. However, any wintry weather is likely to remain further north, with London facing a colder, greyer and more typical early spring outlook.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Steve Willington noted that such a shift is 'not unusual' for March. 'While the early part of the period brings warm sunshine for many, it’s not unusual to see colder spells and even some wintry showers in March,' he said. 'As we head into next week, a shift to a cooler north‑westerly flow will bring a drop in temperature and more unsettled weather, including some hill snow in the north and brisk winds at times.'
