Weekend Weather Shift: UK Braces for Rain and Cooler Temperatures
The brief spell of warm and sunny weather that graced the UK this week is set to come to an abrupt end, with Britons preparing for a weekend dominated by overcast skies, rain, and significantly lower temperatures. This marks a sharp contrast to the recent warmth, disrupting plans and signalling a return to more typical early March conditions.
Thursday's Record High and the Impending Drop
Thursday, 5th March 2026, was confirmed as the hottest day of the year so far, with sunshine pushing temperatures to a peak of 19.2°C. This record was set in Northolt, London, surpassing the previous annual high of 18.7°C recorded at Kew Gardens just last week. Remarkably, this meant parts of the UK were warmer than Barcelona, which saw highs of only 16°C on the same day.
However, the meteorological picture is changing rapidly. The Met Office forecasts a substantial drop in temperatures over the weekend, with conditions turning decidedly drab across the country. Rain and extensive cloud cover are expected to replace the recent sunshine, affecting travel and outdoor activities.
Detailed Weekend Forecast: Rain, Cloud, and Patchy Fog
According to the latest Met Office predictions, Saturday will see temperatures plummet. The south of England is expected to reach only 12°C, while Manchester will struggle to hit 10°C. Cloud will blanket most of the UK, with some limited sunny spells possible in Scotland. Rain is forecast for the southwest of England and Wales, adding to the damp conditions.
Sunday is predicted to be slightly warmer, with London and the south of England potentially seeing highs of 14°C, and Manchester around 13°C. Nevertheless, the improvement will be marginal. The north of England is likely to experience rain early in the day, before clouds and fog spread across the country later. The overall outlook remains unsettled.
Context: A Record-Wet Winter Precedes the Change
This weekend's shift occurs against the backdrop of an exceptionally wet winter for many regions. Provisional Met Office figures indicate that the past winter was the wettest on record for Cornwall, Leicestershire, and the West Midlands. Dorset and Warwickshire experienced their second wettest winter since comparable records began in 1836, while southern England as a whole saw its fourth wettest.
The persistent wet conditions were driven by a series of low-pressure systems moving from the Atlantic, bringing repeated bouts of rain and wind. Three named storms in January – Goretti, Ingrid, and Chandra – contributed significantly to flooding and widespread travel disruption. Although February ended with drier and sunnier spells, the pattern appears to be reverting.
Five-Day Weather Outlook
The Met Office provides the following forecast for the coming days:
- Today (Friday): Scotland and Northern Ireland will be largely dry with sunshine. England and Wales will be rather cloudy with some rain, chiefly in northern and western areas this morning, moving to the southeast later. Generally cooler.
- Tonight: A dry but increasingly breezy night in the north, with clear spells allowing some frost. Cloudier and milder across England and Wales with patchy rain and some fog.
- Saturday: Mostly dry in the north with some sunshine. Turning wet in the far northwest, and generally breezy. Cloudier across England and Wales with patchy rain and early fog.
- Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday: Sunday and Monday will be rather cloudy with patchy rain and fog in places, though some brighter spells may develop. Wet and rather windy weather is expected to arrive from the west on Tuesday.
Residents are advised to prepare for changeable conditions, with waterproofs and warm layers recommended for the weekend ahead.
