Weather Forecast Snow Storm: Warm Weekend Before A Sharp Turn Cooler
weather forecast snow storm — The Met Office says much of the UK will see a warm, sunny weekend before conditions change from Sunday, with a return to cooler, more unsettled weather across the country. High pressure will dominate initially, bringing long spells of sunshine and temperatures into the mid to high teens, but a weakening band of cloud and patchy rain will move southeast and set up a cooler flow into next week. The shift raises the prospect of wintry showers and some hill snow in the north as winds strengthen and temperatures drop.
Weather Forecast Snow Storm: Transition and timing
The immediate picture is of a settled, sunny weekend driven by high pressure, with early mist and fog that may be slow to clear in places and then give way to fine, dry conditions. From Sunday the Met Office says a weakening band of cloud and patchy rain will sweep southeast, followed by sunny spells and scattered showers across northern areas; some showers may turn wintry over higher ground.
Early next week, the Met Office forecasts a more mobile Atlantic pattern developing, with rain spreading into northern and western areas on Monday and Tuesday and occasionally turning to snow over the Scottish mountains. By midweek a cooler north‑to‑north‑westerly flow is expected to bring frequent showers — some heavy and wintry over higher ground — and snow could possibly reach lower levels in the north later in the day as temperatures sit at or a little below average.
The agency also warns of stronger winds in northern areas with coastal gales at times, before higher pressure is expected to build again toward the end of the week, reducing showers and easing winds while leaving temperatures on the cool side and the risk of overnight frost.
Immediate Reactions
Steve Willington, Met Office Chief Forecaster, said: “While the early part of the period brings warm sunshine for many, it’s not unusual to see colder spells and even some wintry showers in March. As we head into next week, a shift to a cooler north‑westerly flow will bring a drop in temperature and more unsettled weather, including some hill snow in the north and brisk winds at times. This pattern is entirely typical for the time of year. ”
Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said: “If we look at the temperature profile for the next few days, then we really notice that difference by the time we get to Wednesday. Temperatures by Wednesday (will be) single digits for many, and that’s the max, so it’s going to get cold at night. Probably the peak of that cold will be on Wednesday night, that’s when the cold plunge really comes in. ” He added that parts of northern Scotland could see snow on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, which would be a “shock to the system” after recent warmth.
Quick context: The weekend follows a run of unusually warm days for the season, with temperatures having reached into the high teens in many areas and isolated highs around 20C in parts of Scotland. The Met Office frames the coming change as a typical early‑spring swing from high pressure into a more mobile Atlantic pattern.
What’s next
Forecasters say residents should expect the warm, settled spell to end from Sunday as the country returns to a cooler regime, and to watch forecasts for the potential of hill and mountain snow, stronger northern winds and coastal gales into midweek. The Met Office will monitor the developing Atlantic pattern and issue updates on evolving rain, wind and snow risks as the period progresses; communities in northern and higher ground areas should prepare for wintry showers and brief disruptive conditions if the colder flow deepens.
weather forecast snow storm — Stay alert to Met Office updates through the weekend and into next week as the situation develops.
