The UK’s weather is about to change drastically with daytime highs rising by more than ten degrees in some places, following a bitterly cold few days in which temperatures struggled into the low single figures by day and fell below freezing overnight.
This is the good news that we all need right now, especially when combined with a light breeze and warm springtime sunshine!
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Why is it getting warmer and more sunny outside?
High pressure is growing throughout the United Kingdom which is the primary cause.
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Over the past few days Atlantic frontal systems from the west have swept across the UK, bringing with them heavy blustery showers and periods of rain. Meanwhile, a bitter airmass brought in by a chilly westerly wind has lowered daytime temperatures and returned wintry conditions to northern areas.
While a change in wind direction to the east/southeast brings in much milder air from the near continent, a dominant area of high pressure builds up across the UK from the east throughout Tuesday, delaying the advance of those rain-bearing frontal systems. Sunshine should be abundant as well.
At the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London, visitors stroll through early spring flowers.
Why is the weather more settled when there is high pressure?
Instead of rising, air slowly descends under high pressure.
More sunshine can form because the sinking air inhibits the formation of clouds. Though we don’t anticipate this week to be one of those times, there are times when clouds become trapped under high pressure, resulting in a settled but rather cloudy and stagnant period of weather.
Forecasters anticipate a sharp increase in temperature due to increased sunshine and a warmer atmosphere. In contrast to low pressure, rising air promotes clouds showers and stronger winds. In contrast to low pressure, rising air promotes clouds showers and stronger winds.
In reality, how warm could it get?
Throughout the week, temperatures are predicted to rise gradually. According to the Met Office, many locations may see temperatures in the mid to high teens, and if sunshine persists, some may even get close to 18 to 20°C. This would be many places’ warmest day of the year thus far. Such values are significantly higher than the UK average for early spring, and it may feel even warmer in sunny, protected areas.
Where will the best sunshine be found?
The best sunshine is anticipated in the southern and eastern regions of the UK, where the skies are most likely to remain clear. The majority of the UK should experience some lovely weather starting in the middle of next week.
Even though there may occasionally be a bit more cloud cover in western regions, especially if Atlantic weather systems pass close to the high-pressure system’s edge, there will still be some lovely days ahead.
What is the duration of the warmer spell?
High pressure is predicted to begin to build in from the east on Tuesday, following a chilly and uneasy start to the week. The favorable conditions are anticipated to spread to most of the UK through midweek and last at least until the end of the week. Although it’s too early to provide much information just yet, some indications actually point to an area of high pressure dominating for the remainder of the month.
Is that now for the cold weather?
No, although cold snaps usually become less common as the season progresses, early spring can still bring about significant temperature swings, so cooler spells aren’t totally out of the question just yet. When the skies are clear, temperatures can rise surprisingly quickly during this time of year due to longer daylight hours and stronger sunshine.
For now, though, we can all look forward to some lovely weather that will both warm the ground and lift our spirits during times when it can seem like there isn’t much good news right now!
