Weather and climate change

Headline:

Rain moving slowly southeastwards and weakening throughout today.

Today:

A band of wind and rain across northwest Scotland will gradually move southeastwards today, perhaps reaching northern England and north Wales by evening. Ahead of this, any early fog clearing but a cloudier day overall than Tuesday.

Tonight:

The band of rain will continue moving southeastwards, but gradually petering out. Dry with clear spells either side of this with a widespread frost developing across the north.

Thursday:

Cloudy with patchy drizzle at first in the far southeast. Otherwise dry with some sunny spells, although rain arriving into the northwest later. Temperatures near average for early April.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday:

Rather unsettled for the Easter weekend with spells of strong winds and rain moving across the country. Some drier and brighter interludes developing, especially across the southeast.

Updated: 04:00 (UTC+1) on Wed 1 Apr 2026

Rather changeable conditions are expected through this period, as a series of Atlantic frontal systems track eastwards across the UK, accompanied by some strong winds at times. These will bring occasional spells of rain or showers, heaviest and most frequent in the west and northwest, with longer drier interludes likely in the south and sheltered eastern areas. Whilst temperatures will be close to average for the period as a whole, there may be opportunities for some short-lived warm spells in the south and east. Conversely, occasional colder interludes in the northwest will bring the chance of some wintry showers, especially to hills, and overnight frost.

Updated: 13:00 (UTC+1) on Wed 1 Apr 2026

The broad northwest-southeast split is likely to continue to begin this period. However, it is probable that more blocked weather patterns will become increasingly dominant through the middle of the month. This is likely to mean more settled and drier conditions overall. There may however, still be some more unsettled interludes at times, especially in the south and southwest. Later in April, the probability of more changeable and unsettled weather increases, which is likely to be more widespread than the middle of the month. Temperatures will probably be around or a little above normal, but some warmer days are likely where light winds and sunshine combine.

Updated: 14:00 (UTC+1) on Tue 31 Mar 2026