Warm and Sunny Weather Set to Continue Across the UK This Weekend
Britons can look forward to a continuation of warm and sunny weather as the weekend approaches, with temperatures expected to remain well above the seasonal average. This pleasant spell comes after a brief period of colder Arctic air that had previously pushed temperatures down across the country.
Record-Breaking Wednesday Marks Hottest Day of the Year
Wednesday, March 18, 2026, was officially the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures soaring to an impressive 20.9°C in Gogerddan near Aberystwyth. In London, specifically at Northolt, the mercury reached a notable 20.2°C, setting a new benchmark for warmth in 2026.
According to Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge, these elevated temperatures are primarily due to warm air being drawn up from southern Europe. He remarked, "We get this a lot at this time of year; we sometimes joke the warmest day of the year klaxon is going off every day." Madge added that Wednesday's peak is likely to be the high watermark for some time, with no further temperature records expected in the coming week.
Weekend Forecast: Sustained Warmth with Slight Variations
Although temperatures are not forecast to reach the 20°C mark again this weekend, the Met Office predicts consistently warm conditions:
- Thursday: Highs of 17°C in London and Manchester, with generally sunny spells across England and Wales.
- Friday (Spring Equinox): Slightly cooler with maximum temperatures around 15°C, though still above average. Early mist or fog will clear to reveal a fine, warm day with light winds for most areas.
- Saturday: Manchester is expected to see highs of 16°C, while most of England will enjoy sunny and dry conditions initially.
- Sunday: Temperatures across most of England are forecast to reach highs of 14°C, maintaining the warm trend.
The outlook for Saturday to Monday indicates that the weekend will start mostly sunny and dry for many regions. However, bands of rain are predicted to move southeast from Scotland later on, followed by colder, showery, and windy conditions in the north by Monday.
Regional Variations and Night-Time Conditions
While southern parts of the UK bask in sunshine, northern England and southern Scotland may experience cloudier and cooler weather with occasional light drizzle. Tonight, cloudy conditions are expected for southeast Scotland and northeast England, especially near coasts, spreading inland overnight. Elsewhere, clear spells will lead to a chilly night with some mist and fog patches in prone spots.
By Friday, the far north and northwest are likely to turn cloudier and breezier later in the day, with patchy rain affecting these areas. Despite these regional differences, the overall theme for the weekend remains one of unseasonable warmth and pleasant weather across much of the United Kingdom.
