A change in weather patterns has brought freezing temperatures to the UK, with Arctic air moving in from the north. The weekend’s spring warmth has been replaced by a colder air mass, resulting in snow showers in various parts of the country including the Southern Uplands, the Shropshire Hills, and the Cotswolds. Even racegoers at the Cheltenham Festival had a brief encounter with snow on day 2. Temperatures have dropped significantly across the UK and are expected to remain below average for the remainder of the week, with daytime temperatures in the single digits and a possibility of overnight frost.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for ice in some parts of northern England, especially the Pennines and Peak District, for Wednesday night into early Thursday morning. This warning comes as temperatures continue to plummet and icy conditions become more prevalent. Despite the cold snap, the UK experienced its warmest day of the year so far on Sunday, with temperatures reaching 19.7C in Crosby, near Liverpool. However, this warm weather has now given way to a colder spell, with temperatures dropping by about ten degrees in some areas, leading to a sudden shock to our systems.
With the spring equinox approaching on 20th March, daylight hours are increasing, and the influence of the sun on our weather is growing. The shift in wind direction to a northerly flow this week has brought in cold Arctic winds, resulting in temperatures well below average for this time of year. Maximum temperatures are expected to be between 5 to 9C across the UK, with overnight temperatures close to or below freezing. Despite the cold conditions, dry weather and occasional sunshine are expected, with the possibility of wintry flurries in parts of Scotland and north-east England.
While the current cold weather is primarily due to the northerly wind bringing Arctic air, there have been discussions about the potential impact of a phenomenon known as sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) on the UK’s weather in the coming weeks. Observations of an SSW event, where temperatures in the stratosphere have risen significantly, may lead to colder weather in the UK later in the month. However, the forecast for the end of March remains uncertain, and temperatures are expected to return to more typical mid-March levels in the coming week
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