UK Records Hottest Day of 2026 Before Cloudy Skies Return
The United Kingdom basked in its hottest day of the year so far on Wednesday, with provisional data from the Met Office indicating a high of 18.6C recorded at Kew Gardens. This marks the warmest February temperature in the country since February 27, 2019, when Heathrow logged 19.2C. However, this brief spell of sunshine and drier conditions is set to give way to cooler, cloudier weather as the week progresses.
Record-Breaking Warmth in February
According to the Met Office, the 18.6C reading at Kew Gardens on Wednesday represents the highest temperature recorded in the UK this year. It also stands as the warmest February day since 2019, when Heathrow reached 19.2C. Prior to that, Kew Gardens itself recorded 21.2C on February 26, 2019, which remains the all-time highest February temperature in the UK. Dan Harris, chief forecaster at the Met Office, explained that a brief period of southerly winds drew in warmer, drier air, allowing clouds to clear across England and Wales and enabling the sun to warm the atmosphere further.
Cooler and Wetter Weather Ahead
The Met Office forecasts a significant drop in temperatures from Thursday onwards, as winds shift to a westerly direction, bringing moister, cooler Atlantic air. On Thursday, highs are expected to reach only 12C to 14C in most of England and Wales, 12C in Northern Ireland, and 10C to 11C in Scotland. Skies will generally be cloudy, with outbreaks of rain that are likely to turn heavier and more persistent in western regions. Friday is predicted to be unsettled with rain across many parts of the UK, followed by some brighter spells on Saturday interspersed with showers. Cloud and rain are expected to return from the west on Sunday.
Context of a Stormy Winter
This warm interlude comes after a particularly stormy and wet winter season in the UK. The country has experienced only 70% of its average sunshine so far this winter, with rainfall levels above the 30-year average. As of Wednesday, 41 flood warnings and 85 flood alerts remain in place across the UK, primarily in Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, and Somerset. Meteorological spring, which officially begins on March 1 and ends on May 31 according to the Met Office, may bring some relief, but the immediate outlook suggests a return to more typical, unsettled conditions.
