This week brings a dynamic mix of weather across the UK, with heavy rain, sunshine, frost and even the potential for snow all featuring in the forecast.
It has already been a notably cold start to the week, and several frostier mornings are expected. As we progress through the coming days, the influence of high- and low-pressure systems will trigger shifts between quiet, settled spells and more disruptive weather.
Here’s what to expect from the coming week.
Tuesday: A cold, bright and mostly dry day
Despite the chilly start, Tuesday will be a generally dry day with plenty of sunshine, especially across northern areas. Eastern coasts of England may see a few showers drifting in on a northerly breeze, but these will be fairly isolated. Across the south and west, the sunshine will gradually turn hazier through the afternoon as a band of rain approaches from the Atlantic, moving into parts of Cornwall by the end of the day.
A cold northerly wind will make it feel even chillier than the air temperature suggests, particularly along exposed eastern coasts. Even in sunnier areas, the breeze will bring a noticeable wind‑chill.
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Wednesday: snow risk for some
One of the key uncertainties this week concerns whether the developing low-pressure system could bring snowfall across some southern areas of the UK. Because colder air is already in place, the exact track of the low will determine whether rain transitions to snow, especially above around 100 metres.
Warnings for rain and for snow have been issued with a couple of centimetres of snow possible even to lower levels for a time in parts of Wales and the Midlands, though the highest accumulations will be reserved for higher ground. Rain will be the dominant hazard in southern England, with a warning issued and transport disruption highlighted.
Thursday: Clearing conditions for many, but staying cold
By Thursday, the low-pressure system is expected to clear into Europe, allowing high pressure to re‑establish itself across northern parts of the UK. This will bring a largely dry day for Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England, with brighter spells developing through the afternoon. Any snow that does fallearlier in the day is likely to melt once the sun emerges.
Temperatures will remain below average for the time of year, around 3 to 5°C lower than expected for late February. Even with some sunshine, the cold air mass will keep conditions feeling distinctly wintry.
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Friday and the weekend: Turning milder, wet and windy
As we move into Friday, the weather pattern begins to shift. Low pressure systems arriving from the Atlantic will draw in milder air, lifting temperatures to around the seasonal norm, 10 to 11°C in the south by the end of the week.
However, the milder air comes at a price: wetter and windier weather becomes more widespread, particularly in western areas. Heavy rain and strong south-westerly winds are likely at times, with the south and east enjoying the best shelter from these conditions, at least through the first part of Friday.
This milder theme continues into the weekend, offering a noticeable contrast to the chilly conditions earlier in the week. Saturday and Sunday are expected to be markedly milder, though still unsettled, with further spells of rain and brisk winds likely.
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