The weather through the coming week will take on a notably colder and more changeable feel, with a marked shift away from the milder conditions seen recently.
Low pressure systems and fronts moving southwards across the UK will bring spells of rain, blustery winds and, at times, wintry showers, particularly for northern areas. While there will be some quieter interludes, temperatures for many will sit below average for late March.
Early week: rain moving south and turning colder
The start of the week sees a band of cloud and rain already affecting north-western parts of the UK. This frontal system will continue to edge southwards through Tuesday, bringing a spell of rain to many areas across the northern two-thirds of the country. In places, especially across parts of Northern Ireland, north-west England and north Wales, the rain may become heavy for a time as a wave develops along the front. Rainfall totals could be locally high over hills and higher ground, though recent dry conditions should help limit more significant impacts.
Further south, conditions will be largely dry at first, though it will be cloudier than of late and increasingly breezy. As the front moves through, colder air will follow from the north-west, bringing a noticeable drop in temperatures, especially across northern regions. By the end of Tuesday, a clear contrast is likely between colder conditions in the north and slightly milder air lingering across the far south.
Things start to turn a little colder over the next couple of days
— Met Office (@metoffice) March 23, 2026
Milder air will give way as colder conditions sweep in from the northwest
This will bring a return of wintry showers along with stronger, fresher winds pic.twitter.com/7cLO9lwO98
Midweek: blustery, showery and feeling raw
As the front clears southwards overnight into Wednesday, colder air will become established across the whole of the UK. The more persistent rain will ease, giving way to a day of sunshine and showers. These showers will be most frequent in the north and west and may be heavy at times, with hail and isolated thunder. In the colder air, some showers will turn wintry, with sleet or snow over higher ground, particularly across Scotland, but also over hills in northern England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Any lying snow is expected to be confined mainly to high ground.
Strong and gusty winds will add to the chilly feel on Wednesday. Despite sunny spells, temperatures will be several degrees below average for the time of year, and it will feel particularly cold in exposed areas. In parts of Scotland, the combination of wind and low temperatures will result in a very raw, almost wintry feel.
Late week: frost and ice risk, then further rain
Through Wednesday night and into Thursday, pressure will begin to rise from the south-west, allowing conditions to gradually settle. Winds will ease and showers will become fewer, though a cold night is expected. Clearer skies and the cold air in place will allow temperatures to fall close to or below freezing in many areas, with a widespread frost likely. In rural spots, temperatures could dip several degrees below zero, bringing a risk of icy patches, particularly where surfaces are damp following showers.
Thursday itself looks mostly dry for many, with a mix of bright spells and some cloud. A few showers may still develop, and where they occur, there is a chance of a wintry element. Temperatures will remain below average, but lighter winds and some sunshine will make it feel less harsh than earlier in the week.
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Later on Thursday and into Friday, another frontal system is expected to move in from the north-west, bringing cloud and rain, particularly to Northern Ireland and western Scotland at first. This rain will spread south-eastwards overnight into Friday, with many parts of England and Wales starting the day cloudy and damp. The timing and extent of the rain remain uncertain, especially across southern areas, where it may take some time to clear.
Looking ahead to the weekend
By Friday, temperatures should begin to recover slightly, though it will remain breezy, particularly in the north-west. Further north, brighter spells are likely to develop, though showers will return, driven in on a blustery wind. There is also some uncertainty over whether another wave of rain could affect parts of southern England, south-west England and Wales later on Friday.
Into the weekend, the overall picture remains one of changeable weather, with further spells of rain or showers interspersed with brighter intervals. While temperatures may slowly trend upwards, conditions are expected to remain unsettled, and it will continue to feel cooler than average for late March at times.
Overall, the week ahead brings a return to more typical early spring weather, with a mix of rain, wind, sunshine and some lingering wintry hazards, particularly frost and icy patches overnight.
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