The week ahead looks set to bring a clear contrast in weather conditions, with a warm and largely settled start followed by a more unsettled and cooler turn later on.
High pressure will initially exert its influence, allowing temperatures to rise well above average for early April.
However, by the second half of the week, Atlantic weather systems will begin to encroach, introducing more cloud, rain and fresher conditions, particularly in western areas.
Early week: warm and largely settled
High pressure positioned to the south‑east will dominate during the first half of the week. This will draw in increasingly warm air across much of the UK while keeping most Atlantic weather systems at bay, particularly for central, southern and eastern areas.
Tuesday will be widely dry with plenty of sunshine, and it will feel notably warm for the time of year. Some cloud will begin to edge into Northern Ireland and western Scotland later in the day, but most places will remain fine. Temperatures are expected to rise into the low 20s in parts of England and Wales, potentially making it the warmest day of the year so far in some locations.
Wednesday continues a similar theme. The high pressure will still be close enough to influence much of the UK, maintaining dry and settled conditions for many. A weak cold front will drift eastwards, but with limited rainfall. It may bring some cloudier skies across western areas, while clearer conditions persist further south and east.
Sunny and warm for most this afternoon but much cooler on some coasts and rather windy in places ☀️
— Met Office (@metoffice) April 7, 2026
Blue skies for many but the sunshine somewhat hazier in the west at times, with thickening cloud in western Scotland and western Northern Ireland bringing some rain here 🌧️ pic.twitter.com/gWf9B26unk
Temperatures will continue to climb, with many places reaching the low to mid‑20s. In the warmest spots, especially across England and Wales, highs in the mid‑20s are possible, with an isolated location perhaps reaching the upper‑20s. Northern Ireland and western Scotland are likely to be a little cooler under increased cloud.
Midweek change: turning cooler and more unsettled
A more active weather system will move in from the west overnight into Thursday. This will mark the start of a change in conditions, bringing more widespread rain and cooler air. While some areas may stay dry early on Thursday, rain will spread eastwards through the day, becoming heavier at times, especially across western regions.
Behind the rain, temperatures will fall noticeably compared to midweek values. The contrast with Wednesday’s warmth will be particularly marked, with daytime temperatures dropping by several degrees. It will feel fresher, especially where blustery winds develop, most notably in the west.
Showers will follow behind the main band of rain, some of which could be heavy. A few of these showers may be accompanied by gusty winds, and there is a small chance of isolated thunder in the heaviest downpours.
READ MORE: March 2026 weather stats: A regional breakdown
Late week: increasing uncertainty
As we move towards the latter part of the week, the forecast becomes more uncertain. Attention turns to a developing low‑pressure system over the Atlantic, which is expected to interact with the jet stream and deepen as it approaches north‑western parts of the UK.
At present, it looks most likely that this low will remain to the north‑west, with high pressure over continental Europe still exerting some influence across the eastern half of the UK. This would mean wetter and windier conditions developing across Northern Ireland, Wales and western Scotland, while eastern areas may remain relatively sheltered and drier at times.
However, the exact track and timing of this low remain uncertain, and small changes could have a significant impact on where the strongest winds and heaviest rain occur.
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