The weather this weekend will have a distinctly early‑spring feel, with temperatures generally below average and a mix of sunshine, blustery showers and periods of rain.
While Saturday offers the brighter and more settled of the two days, Sunday looks wetter and windier as another weather system moves in from the west.
Saturday: frosty start, then sunshine and showers
Saturday will begin on a cold note for many. After a chilly night, there is a risk of frost in several areas, with temperatures dipping into low single figures and possibly below freezing in a few spots. Where showers have fallen in the previous 24 hours, there may also be one or two slippery surfaces early on.
As the morning gets underway, bands of showery rain will push south‑eastwards. One area of showers will move through Scotland, while another runs in from Northern Ireland towards north‑west England. In places, this may bring some more persistent rain for a time. With cold air in place, snow is likely over higher ground in Scotland, and there is a chance of some hill snow further south over the Pennines and Welsh mountains, particularly during the morning.
By mid‑morning into the afternoon, these bands of showers will clear towards the south‑east. Brighter conditions will follow, with spells of sunshine developing, although blustery showers will continue to run in on a strong wind. Winds will be strongest across the far north of Scotland, but it will also feel breezy across western Scotland, Northern Ireland and along Irish Sea coasts, where conditions may be locally blustery and seas choppy.
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Through the afternoon, showers will continue, especially in northern and western areas, before gradually easing during the evening as a ridge of higher pressure builds in. Temperatures will remain below average, with highs around 8 or 9°C in the north and closer to 10 or 11°C further south. However, the breeze and passing showers will add a noticeable wind chill at times.
Saturday night: showers fading, then winds strengthening again
Saturday evening will see showers fading away for many as clearer conditions develop. Winds will remain brisk across the far north and west of Scotland, and later in the night, they will begin to strengthen again ahead of the next weather system approaching from the Atlantic.
Elsewhere, clearer skies and lighter winds may allow temperatures to fall once more, bringing another chilly night in places.
Sunday: turning wet and very windy
Sunday will see a marked change in conditions. A band of rain will move in from the west, bringing wet and windy weather across western and northern Scotland and Northern Ireland from early morning. Winds here will strengthen to gale force at times, making it feel particularly raw.
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Further east, cloud will thicken through the morning, although central and eastern areas may start the day drier, with some clearer spells and even a touch of frost in places. However, rain will steadily push eastwards, reaching northern England and west Wales by late morning or around lunchtime.
The rain may be heavy at times and squally, especially along its trailing edge. As the system clears, colder air will follow, allowing clusters of showers to develop. These showers may be heavy, with the risk of hail and thunder, and snow is possible again over higher ground.
Sunday afternoon looks wet and blustery for many across England and Wales, with further showers continuing across northern and western areas. Temperatures will struggle to recover, reaching only around 11 or 12°C at best, and strong winds will make it feel cooler still.
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