After a murky weekend, the week ahead begins on a somewhat brighter note for parts of the UK.
However, despite the slight improvement in visibility and occasional sunshine early in the period, the overarching theme for the week is one of increasingly wet and unsettled weather. Rainfall totals are expected to build steadily, especially from midweek onwards, with western areas bearing the brunt. Some locations in South Wales and the higher ground further north could accumulate around 100 mm of rain by the end of the week, substantial totals, though not necessarily enough on their own to raise major flooding concerns.
Why so unsettled? The jet stream takes control
The driver behind the sharp rise in rainfall is a strengthening Atlantic jet stream. From midweek, it becomes more active, sending a series of low-pressure systems directly towards the UK. The first of these arrives during the early hours of Wednesday, followed by another vigorous system moving in through the early hours of Thursday. This sequence brings repeated spells of wet and windy weather before a notably colder air mass arrives to finish the week.
Tuesday: drier and brighter in the south and east
Before the more dramatic midweek downturn in conditions, Tuesday offers a mix of rain and brightness. Across the south and east, it will be relatively dry and fairly bright, with some sunshine emerging. For western areas, though, it’s a different story. Outbreaks of rain, light at first, develop through the day, with more persistent rain pushing into Northern Ireland later. Sunshine will be limited across western regions, but where brightness does break through, it will feel warmer than the previous day. Highs of around 14 to 15°C are possible in the southeast, while conditions remain a little fresher elsewhere.
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Wednesday: wet and windy start, then brighter for many
The next low-pressure system strengthens overnight into Wednesday, bringing powerful winds to the far north and northwest of Scotland, where gusts could reach 60 to 70mph for a time. A yellow weather warning has been issued. Early rain will clear southeastern England during the morning, allowing conditions to brighten. Many areas across England and Wales can expect a relatively dry day with sunny spells.
Further north and west, however, it turns more unsettled. Northern Ireland and Scotland will see frequent showers pushing in from the west, some of which may be heavy or squally. Temperatures will range from 9 to 13°C, close to average for mid‑March, but the strength of the winds in the far north could bring some disruption.
Thursday: widely wet under a warm sector
The early hours of Thursday bring another low-pressure system and a surge of warm, moisture-rich air across the UK. This places much of the country squarely in the warm sector, resulting in a widely wet day. For many, it will be the wettest day of the week. Western areas, including south Wales, the Lake District, and the high ground of northwest Scotland, are expected to see some of the heaviest and most persistent rainfall through Thursday morning.
Temperatures close to average for much of the coming few days, however turning colder for all by Friday pic.twitter.com/ynkgvk6Puk
— Met Office (@metoffice) March 9, 2026
As the main rain band clears eastwards during the afternoon, colder air begins to sweep in behind it. With the drop in temperature, rain on the high ground of Scotland may turn to snow later in the day. Despite this transition, temperatures are relatively mild for most areas during Thursday, sitting around 12 to 13°C where the warm sector lingers. However, skies will remain cloudy and conditions damp for many.
Friday: a sharp drop in temperature, with wintry showers in the north
By Thursday night and into Friday, the UK experiences a marked change in air mass, ushering in much colder conditions to end the week. Friday begins sharply colder, with a patchy frost expected, especially in sheltered spots. Winds also remain strong, adding extra bite to the colder air.
Rain continues moving in from the north and west, and northwestern areas will see frequent showers. Some of these showers will fall as snow down to around 200 metres, fairly low levels for this stage of the year. Hail is also possible in the most intense showers. With temperatures struggling in the single figures, below the seasonal average, icy patches could develop through Friday morning and again into Saturday. In contrast, the south and east fare better with drier conditions, although it will still feel chilly widely.
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Into the weekend: brief respite before the next system
The weekend starts with a short-lived ridge of high pressure, offering a brief spell of more settled weather on Saturday. This should bring a calmer, drier interlude, allowing temperatures to feel a little less raw than on Friday.
Unfortunately, the quieter spell does not last long. Another low-pressure system is waiting in the wings and is expected to move in just in time for Sunday, coinciding with Mother’s Day. This next system is likely to reintroduce wet and breezy weather, continuing the unsettled theme that defines much of the week ahead.
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