The Met Office has announced that today marks the hottest day of the year so far due to an uncommon weather phenomenon facing Brits.
According to the national weather agency, temperatures reached 20.9C in Gogerddan, Wales this afternoon, surpassing the previous record of 19.2C set in London on March 5. London also experienced high temperatures of 20.2C today.
The Met Office forecasts a shift to cooler conditions later tonight and into tomorrow morning. However, most areas can expect a warm and sunny day tomorrow, with temperatures reaching around 17C to 18C. The outlook for the weekend indicates dry weather with sunny intervals for many regions, although there is a possibility of rain in northern Scotland on Saturday, potentially spreading further north on Sunday and cooling down.
The agency attributes today’s high temperatures to the Foehn effect, where moist air is pushed up one side of a mountain, cools down, and then descends rapidly over the peak, resulting in warmer temperatures on the downward slope. In the UK, this phenomenon is commonly observed in the Scottish Highlands when westerly winds from the Atlantic bring wet conditions to the west and sunny, warmer weather to the east.
Looking ahead, the Met Office suggests a potential drop in temperatures later this month, with the chance of snowfall in certain areas. The forecast for March 22 to March 31 indicates more variability and unsettled conditions as Atlantic frontal systems move across the UK, particularly active in the north compared to the south due to a high-pressure ridge extending from the subtropical Atlantic.
As a consequence, there could be a brief colder period with northerly winds towards the end of March, possibly leading to snowfall in northern regions. Strong winds may also develop during this time. Towards the end of March, high pressure is expected to dominate, resulting in mostly dry weather with the possibility of overnight fog and frost.
Stay updated with the day’s top stories by subscribing to email updates.
