The first day of spring is set to bring unusually hot temperatures to the UK, raising the prospect of the warmest day of the year so far. According to the Met Office, Thursday, March 20, 2025, coinciding with the spring equinox, could see temperatures in London soar to as high as 21°C.
This anticipated warmth is expected to provide a stark contrast to the typically cooler temperatures associated with this time of year. In fact, parts of the UK may find themselves enjoying warmer weather than some southern European cities, such as Barcelona and Athens, where forecast highs of 15°C and 12°C are predicted, respectively.
Temperature trends have been climbing steadily over the past week. Following a peak of 19.7°C in Crosby, Merseyside, on March 9, the Met Office forecasts that London will experience highs of around 17°C on Wednesday, March 19, just a day before the official start of spring. As Marco Petagna, a meteorologist at the Met Office, highlights, “Temperatures have already started to pick up in places, but the trend to warmer temperatures is going to continue for the next few days.”
The weather leading up to the equinox will feature plenty of sunshine, particularly across southern England and Wales, although some cloud cover may develop towards the southwest. Petagna noted that despite these clouds, “for most places, you have plenty of sunshine” and warmer air is being drawn up from the South and Southeast.
In addition to London, other regions in the Midlands are set to see similarly high temperatures. By Thursday, the Met Office predicts that Birmingham and Coventry will reach 19°C, while Worcester and Evesham could hit 20°C around 3 PM. Cities like Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury can expect comparable warmth according to the forecast.
As spring officially begins this year, the spring equinox is noteworthy because it signifies a time when day and night are nearly equal in length, an event that occurs twice a year. This particular equinox marks the beginning of astronomical spring and heralds the arrival of longer days leading up to the summer solstice on June 21.
However, the pleasant, warm weather is not expected to last long. The sunny conditions will likely begin to diminish by Friday, March 21, as temperatures drop, and rain is predicted to move in from the South and West. Petagna warned, “Temperatures are coming down from Friday onwards, and also some rain pushing in from the South and West.” As for the weekend, forecasts suggest highs of 15°C to 16°C on Saturday, March 22, and a cooler 13°C by Sunday, March 23.
This fluctuation in temperatures and weather patterns serves as a reminder of the transitional nature of spring in the UK. For many, this early bloom of warmth is a welcome change, prompting the public to enjoy outdoor activities as blooms of daffodils and other springtime flowers begin to adorn the landscapes.
With clocks set to spring forward one hour on March 30, 2025, the longer daylight hours promise more opportunities for outdoor enjoyment as the season progresses and the weather continues to shift. Those looking to take advantage of the fleeting warmth should prepare for a delightful Thursday, albeit with the knowledge that such pleasantness may be short-lived as spring settles into its typical rhythm of variability.
In summary, the UK is gearing up for not just a new season but potentially its hottest day yet this year on the first day of spring, as warmer air arrives to mark the transition. With temperatures soaring above average, people across the nation are encouraged to embrace the warmth before the eventual rains return, as is often the case in this temperamental climate.
