Week ahead: A largely settled week

While many areas will enjoy warm spring sunshine at times, there will still be one or two interruptions as weak weather fronts drift around the edges of the country. Temperatures will rise well above average for mid‑March in some regions, particularly across Wales and southwest England, before easing back toward the end of the week.

Slow start to the week with cloud and patchy rain

The week begins on a rather subdued note. Low pressure positioned toward Iceland and high pressure sitting to the south leave the UK under a fairly grey start. A weather front lingering across Scotland and Northern Ireland on Tuesday will bring outbreaks of drizzly rain, thick cloud and a brisk breeze. Conditions across the Western Isles and parts of Northern Ireland will be particularly blustery, with pulses of rain moving through during the day.

Further south, England and Wales will begin Tuesday cloudy but noticeably milder, with light winds and temperatures edging into double digits. As the day progresses, brighter skies will develop across much of England and Wales. By the afternoon, lengthy sunny spells are likely for many here, with temperatures lifting into the mid‑teens—perhaps 15 or 16°C, and even 17°C in the warmest spots. Western coasts may remain cloudier, but elsewhere the warmth will be more widely felt.

Temperatures are on the rise this week, with highs reaching the upper teens and some favoured spots could even touch 20°C. pic.twitter.com/FNyDC28WQl

— Met Office (@metoffice) March 16, 2026

Mid‑week: sunshine for many, but cloudier zones linger

Tuesday night into Wednesday sees the weakening weather front beginning to sink slowly south, though it increasingly loses its definition as pressure builds across it. While it may still bring pockets of drizzle during the morning, particularly across southern Scotland and northern England, it acts mainly as a persistent band of cloud, producing drab and grey conditions in these areas.

There is some uncertainty around the exact placement of this cloudier zone. To the north of it, western and northern Scotland will enjoy brighter, drier weather with only the odd passing shower in the far northwest. To the south, much lighter winds and widespread sunshine will develop across England and Wales. Here, temperatures will climb further, with 17–19°C widely possible and a chance of reaching 20°C, especially along the west coast of Wales or north Devon. These values sit significantly above the mid‑March average and will make for a distinctly warm mid‑week feel.

Eastern coastal areas, particularly East Anglia, may not see the same warmth due to an increasing breeze limiting temperatures compared with the western side of the country.

Thursday: high pressure takes firmer control

As Wednesday transitions into Thursday, the weakening weather front still lingers in a very broad sense, bringing the occasional spot of drizzle across parts of southeast Scotland or northeast England. However, it continues to fizzle out, becoming little more than a line of cloud.

Further south, sunshine remains the dominant feature, although temperatures ease back slightly compared with Wednesday. Highs of 15–17°C will still feel warm for the time of year, especially with generally light winds. Western Scotland also fares well, with a brighter day and temperatures around 13–14°C, still above average for mid‑March.

By Thursday afternoon, high pressure becomes more firmly established, setting the stage for a predominantly fine end to the working week.

READ MORE: March weather extremes: a closer look at March's current weather records

Friday: easterly winds introduce cooler, cloudier conditions in the east

On Friday, high pressure drifts a little towards the North Sea, allowing an easterly flow to develop. This shift in wind direction will bring a noticeable change, especially for eastern parts of the UK. Cooler, somewhat fresher air will move in from the North Sea, increasing low cloud along eastern coasts from northeast England into southeast Scotland. Conditions here may feel considerably cooler than the warmth experienced earlier in the week.

Despite the cooler breeze in the east, most of the UK will remain dry. Northwest Scotland benefits from this wind direction, with brighter skies and temperatures of 13–14°C. Parts of southwest England and west Wales may again claim the highest temperatures of the day, though not reaching the exceptional warmth seen mid‑week.

Weekend outlook: mostly dry, but some uncertainty

As we head into the weekend, confidence in the exact detail decreases slightly. High pressure is expected to remain close by and should continue to provide mainly dry weather. However, some forecast models suggest that an area of lower pressure may attempt to push toward the southeast of the UK. If this develops, it could bring a few showers on Saturday, especially to parts of southeast England.

Despite this possibility, the general trend favours predominantly fine conditions with variable cloud and occasional sunshine. Temperatures will likely be closer to average by the weekend, though still feeling pleasant in any sunshine and light winds.

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