This weekend brings a mix of early‑spring weather across the UK
While temperatures remain a touch below average for mid‑March, many places will experience some decent spells of sunshine on Saturday before conditions turn more unsettled later.
Saturday: brightest day of the weekend
Saturday begins on a cold note, with chilly air firmly established following its southward plunge through Friday. Early risers across many parts of the country will notice the crisp feel, although the day ahead does offer an improvement. A small ridge of high pressure will build in, providing a window of more settled weather. While this ridge is fairly weak and short‑lived, it will be enough to keep conditions largely dry and bright for many areas.
A few early showers may affect parts of England and Wales, but these will fade steadily through the morning, allowing brighter skies to develop widely across these regions. Much of the Midlands and eastern England will enjoy a dry day with long sunny spells.
Northern Ireland may begin dry before scattered showers drift in from the northwest. Scotland will see the greatest concentration of showers, especially in western areas, where wintry conditions will continue over higher ground. Snow grains or flakes may still be mixed in across the mountains, brought in on a brisk westerly breeze.
Winds elsewhere will be lighter than recent days, helping the sunshine feel a touch more pleasant despite the cool air mass in place.
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Temperature‑wise, many areas will sit one to three degrees below the seasonal average for mid‑March, with most places only reaching single digits. However, with winds easing compared to Friday, it may feel a little milder for some despite the relatively low temperatures.
As Saturday evening progresses, the ridge of high pressure will slide eastwards, making way for the next weather system approaching from the Atlantic. Clear spells will develop through the first half of the night, allowing temperatures to fall away. A chilly night is expected, with frost possible in rural spots.
Later in the night, cloud will thicken across Scotland, Northern Ireland and north‑western parts of England and Wales as a new weather front approaches. As the isobars tighten, winds will begin to strengthen, signalling a more unsettled day to follow.
Sunday: breezier, cloudier and turning milder
Sunday sees a marked change in the weather pattern. The approaching Atlantic front will bring more cloud to many parts of the UK, making Sunday the greyer day of the weekend. The tightening isobars indicate a brisker breeze, particularly in the west and northwest, giving a cooler feel where rain occurs. While not a washout, Sunday will carry a more unsettled tone overall.
The day may begin with some early brightness across East Anglia and the southeast, and many in these regions may stay dry throughout. Elsewhere, showery rain will drift eastwards, although it is not expected to be especially heavy or persistent. Nevertheless, in the brisk breeze it could still feel unpleasant when showers pass overhead.
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Northern Ireland and western Scotland will continue to experience showers through the day, but with temperatures creeping up slightly, most of these will fall as rain rather than snow, except over the highest mountain tops.
Sunday is marginally milder than Saturday, with more places reaching double digits. However, values will remain close to or just below average. Combined with the brisk wind and limited sunshine, it will not feel particularly warm.
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