March 2026 was a notably mild month across the UK, with all regions recording above‑average temperatures.
According to provisional Met Office statistics, the UK experienced its joint tenth warmest March in a series dating back to 1884. With a mean temperature of 7.0°C, March 2026 is tied with March 2025 as the joint tenth warmest on record. The warmest March for the UK remains 1938.
Wales saw its joint fourth warmest and England its joint sixth warmest March – with both nations experiencing their warmest March since 2017.
In this blog, we’ll take a look at the regional weather stats for March 2026, examining contrasts between wetter western and northern areas and drier conditions further east and south. Sunshine was widely above average, reinforcing a spring‑like feel for many, particularly during a settled spell in the middle of the month.
Northern Scotland
Northern Scotland experienced a milder‑than‑average March, despite remaining the coolest part of the UK overall. Mean temperatures were 5.1°C, 1.0°C above average. Daytime maximum temperatures averaged 8.7°C, while minimum temperatures were 1.6°C, also above normal.
Rainfall was well-above average, with 191.2mm recorded, 136% of the long‑term mean. This reflected repeated Atlantic systems bringing rain, particularly during the second week of the month. Sunshine totals were slightly above average with 104.6 hours recorded, 114% of average, indicating some brighter spells between weather systems.
Eastern Scotland
Eastern Scotland was milder and notably brighter than average. Mean temperatures reached 5.5°C, 1.3°C above normal, with daytime highs averaging 9.7°C and night‑time lows at 1.3°C.
Rainfall was slightly below average at around 81.7mm, 94% of the average, making it drier than many western areas. Sunshine totals were well above average, at around 142.7 hours, approximately 134% of normal, contributing to a relatively bright and pleasant March overall.
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Western Scotland
Western Scotland also recorded above‑average temperatures, with a mean of around 5.7°C, roughly 0.8°C above normal. Maximum temperatures averaged 9.5°C, while minimum temperatures were around 2.1°C.
Rainfall totals were high, with around 163.2mm recorded, equating to 114% of average. Sunshine levels were similarly above average at around 108.5 hours, also about 114% of average, reflecting some brighter intervals during otherwise unsettled conditions.
Northwest England and north Wales
Northwest England and north Wales experienced a mild March, with a mean temperature of 7.2°C, 1.5°C above average. Daytime maximum temperatures averaged 10.9°C, with minimum temperatures near 3.5°C.
Rainfall was above average at 113.1mm, 120% of normal, with wetter conditions particularly in the north‑west. Sunshine totals were above average at around 120.5 hours, 113% of normal, with eastern areas seeing the most sunshine.
England east and north‑east
England east and north‑east recorded a mild March, with temperatures well above the long‑term average. The mean temperature for the region was 7.3°C, 1.6°C above normal. Daytime maximum temperatures averaged 11.4°C, while minimum temperatures were 3.3°C, both higher than average for the time of year.
Rainfall totals were below average overall, with 48.8 mm recorded, equating to 94% of the long‑term mean. While frontal systems did bring some rain at times, particularly earlier in the month, totals remained modest compared to western parts of the UK, and there were several extended dry spells. Sunshine was notably above average across the region with 141.9 hours of sunshine recorded, equating to 121% of normal.
Midlands
The Midlands saw one of its milder Marches in recent years. Mean temperatures were 7.9°C, around 1.6°C above average. Maximum temperatures averaged 11.9°C, while minimum temperatures were around 3.8°C.
Rainfall was notably low, with 43.4mm recorded, just 80% of the long‑term average. Sunshine totals were well-above average at 139.7 hours, 122% of normal, reinforcing the spring‑like feel across the region.
East Anglia
East Anglia stood out as one of the warmest, driest and sunniest regions during March. Mean temperatures reached 8.0°C, 1.3°C above average. Maximum temperatures averaged 12.3°C, with minimum temperatures around 3.8°C.
Rainfall was very low, with 24.2mm recorded, 61% of average. Sunshine totals were particularly high at 155.5 hours, 131% of normal, making March feel notably settled and bright.
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South‑west England and south Wales
South‑west England and south Wales experienced mild conditions, with a mean temperature of 8.2°C, 1.6°C above average. Maximum temperatures averaged 11.8°C, while minimum temperatures were around 4.5°C.
Rainfall was below average overall at 67.5 mm, 75% of normal, despite occasional Atlantic fronts. Sunshine totals were above average at around 141.5 hours, 121% of normal.
South‑east and central southern England
South‑east and central southern England were the warmest region during March 2026. Mean temperatures reached 8.4°C, 1.4°C above average. Maximum temperatures averaged 12.6°C, with minimum temperatures around 4.3°C.
Rainfall was particularly low, with 30.4 mm recorded, just 59% of the long‑term average. Sunshine totals were high at 154.4 hours, 125% of normal. A late‑month warm spell saw temperatures exceed 20°C locally, underlining the unusually mild character of the month.
Met Office Scientist, Dr Emily Carlisle, said: “March has delivered some notably warm weather for England and Wales in particular, alongside plenty of sunshine and near-average rainfall overall. While those milder conditions will have stood out for many, the month has still delivered a mix of weather across the UK, including more unsettled spells and even snow for some. This variability is entirely typical for March, a month of transition when lingering winter influences can sit alongside the increasing warmth of spring.”
Where does the monthly data come from?
The Met Office’s monthly climate statistics use HadUK‑Grid data to work out county, regional and UK‑wide averages. The dataset takes weather observations from across the country and interpolates them across the UK onto a 1km x 1km grid, covering every part of the UK. Some of these records stretch all the way back to 1836, meaning almost 200 years of weather data.
READ MORE: How do we know when weather records are broken?
READ MORE: What is HadUK-Grid?
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