As meteorological spring begins, the week ahead brings a distinctly spring‑like feel to much of the UK.
Conditions will be dominated by high pressure for several days, allowing long spells of dry, bright and increasingly mild weather. However, changes later in the week introduce some rain, Saharan dust and a gradual return to fresher air.
Here’s what to expect from the week ahead.
Overview of the weather pattern
The large‑scale pattern this week is shaped by high pressure stationed close to the UK. While a weakening frontal system edges slowly south-eastwards early in the week, it is the strengthening high to the southwest that becomes the dominant influence. As this high expands and drifts eastwards, it settles the weather for most regions, suppressing significant rainfall and promoting clearer skies, particularly in northern and western areas.
Tuesday: A chilly start for some, cloudier in the south
Through Tuesday afternoon, cloud across central and southern England and Wales is expected to be stubborn, lingering for much of the day. While most areas remain dry, the cloud will make for a grey, subdued feel at times. Even so, some brighter spells may develop in places.
Further north, conditions are much livelier and sunnier. Northern Ireland, northern England and much of Scotland will enjoy long spells of sunshine, although the far north, including Orkney and Shetland, may see cloud bubbling up at times with a few passing showers. Temperatures in northern regions are close to seasonal norms, just reaching into double figures in some areas, while further south values rise into the mid‑teens, making it feel pleasantly mild wherever sunshine breaks through.
READ MORE: February & Winter weather stats: A regional breakdown
Wednesday: High pressure drifts east, southerly winds develop
High pressure remains in control as the week moves into Wednesday, but it begins to drift gradually eastwards. This shift changes the wind direction around the high, drawing in a more southerly flow. As a result, air arriving across the UK becomes warmer, and an unusual ingredient enters the forecast: Saharan dust. This may give the sky a faint orange tint during sunrise and sunset mid‑week.
Despite the shift in air mass, the settled weather continues for many. Much of England and Wales will remain ahead of the next frontal system, enjoying another fine day with sunny periods. Some high‑level cloud is likely at times, giving the sunshine a slightly hazy appearance, but most areas stay dry with temperatures rising higher than on Tuesday. Highs of 15–16°C are expected, and some places may see temperatures climb a little beyond this.
Changes begin to appear in the north and northwest. A front approaches Scotland and Northern Ireland, bringing outbreaks of rain, initially showery but with a band of more persistent rain waiting offshore. Cloudier skies here will cap temperatures somewhat, keeping conditions closer to average for early March.
It'll feel pleasant in the sunshine this week, with temperatures peaking on Thursday into the high teens for some🌡️ pic.twitter.com/iWhjzsDa8o
— Met Office (@metoffice) March 2, 2026
Thursday: A slow‑moving front, warm air ahead of it
By Thursday, the front to the west begins to push inland but does so slowly. Western Scotland and Northern Ireland start the day wet, with rain feeding across much of Scotland. The rain may be heavy or persistent at times, but its limited forward progress means that much of England and Wales stay dry for a good portion of the day.
Ahead of the front, warm air continues to be drawn up from the south. Temperatures rise further, many areas in England and Wales will see highs of 17–19°C, possibly higher in a few spots. For early March, these values sit several degrees above average, giving a distinctly warm feel in any sunshine.
Where the frontal rain does reach western parts of England and Wales, it may be briefly heavy, but impacts should remain limited. The majority of central and eastern England will enjoy fine weather with plenty of sunshine. The combination of warm air and Saharan dust may lead to some dusty deposits on cars or outdoor surfaces as the frontal rain washes the dust out of the atmosphere overnight into Friday.
Friday: A fresher feel returns, sunshine following behind
By Friday, the band of rain continues to move south-eastwards, although it weakens significantly as it does so. Many eastern and southeastern areas may see only small amounts of rain, if any at all. Behind the front, a clearer and fresher air mass spreads across much of the UK, accompanied by plenty of sunshine.
READ MORE: Contextualising February’s warm spell: A notably mild end to winter
Temperatures fall back closer to seasonal norms, especially for Northern Ireland and western Scotland, where the cooler air first arrived on Thursday. Even so, dry and bright conditions will dominate the day for most areas, and the sunshine should offset some of the cooler feel.
Some showery rain may reach the far northwest at times, in line with the more changeable Atlantic influence on that side of the country.
Weekend outlook: Settled for many, but cooler
As the weekend approaches, high pressure begins to rebuild, keeping the weather largely settled. Most areas will see dry conditions with long spells of sunshine. Although it will not be as warm as earlier in the week, the combination of dry weather and sunshine makes for a pleasant early‑spring weekend overall. The northwest remains more exposed to Atlantic systems, so cloudier, breezier and occasionally wetter conditions are more likely there.
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