A weekend of spring sunshine has blessed many across the UK, as temperatures reached up to 17°C on Sunday, March 9, 2025. This brief period of warm weather, particularly felt more intensively in cities such as London and Cardiff, is reportedly hotter than famed vacation spots like the Balearic Islands and Costa del Sol. Following one of the dreariest winters on record, this sunny respite was welcomed by many.
Craig Snell, meteorologist for the Met Office, noted on this beautiful Sunday, "Conditions could reach 18°C today in parts of East Anglia, north-west England, the north Midlands, and north Wales." While many were reveling outdoors, the blissful weather was short-lived; the Met Office has indicated significant changes are on the horizon.
By Tuesday evening, March 11, the pleasant weather will give way as rain showers and overnight frosts are slated to roll across much of the country. The pronounced shift is attributed to what the Met Office has described as the collapse of the polar vortex, which may be linked to Sudden Stratospheric Warming. A spokesperson elaborated, "The stratospheric polar vortex is now weakening rapidly. Over the last few days, the forecasts have become very confident, and we are almost certain there will be a sudden stratospheric warming in mid-March. This is when the mid-stratospheric wind is predicted to reverse from westerly to easterly.”
The forecasts suggest the UK can expect to transition to more unsettled conditions next week, reckoning with increased winds and frequent rain. Snell commented on the looming instability, remarking, "For much of the UK, it will be a fine and sunny day," though he cautioned against the southern coastal regions, where the weather is predicted to shift significantly.
Interestingly, March is typically characterized by frigid temperatures, with averages peaking at 9°C, per Met Office data from 1991 to 2020. Contrastingly, Brits this weekend enjoyed temperatures reminiscent of summer, with highs even exceeding those predicted for popular Spanish destinations. For reference, Marbella is expected to reach 15°C and Ibiza is forecasted for 17°C, both less than some parts of the UK.
Despite the mild conditions, the weather is set to turn. The Met Office is already preparing for the arrival of dense fog, warning residents of decreased visibility as they commute to work or school this coming week. Conditions will be treacherous, with suggestions made for motorists to allow extra travel time on Wednesday morning, particularly across the south coast where visibility dropped substantially due to sudden fog over the weekend.
Meanwhile, shifting weather reports are releasing alarming forecasts about significant snowfall affecting various parts of the UK. WXCharts.com has prepared the country for the prospect of snow lasting up to 12 hours, starting March 9. Scotland and northern England are anticipated to be hit hardest, with other areas including Wales and southern England also facing chilly disturbances.
The Met Office also projected trends for the week as, "Rain spreads southwards through Monday, marking a change to colder, cloudier conditions for the new week. Occasional sunny spells on Tuesday and Wednesday, mixed with few wintry showers.” This transition to harsher conditions starts off with snowy surfaces over northern territories, as snow is expected to blanket the Scottish capital, with Newcastle and Northumbria not far behind.
By midweek, areas like Yorkshire and Lancashire will likely see the white stuff as well, with Cardiff and southern Plymouth slated for significant snowfall. Weather officials raised concerns about Hull, Kent, Essex, and London, where blustery winds may accompany the showers. Rainfall rates could reach as high as 10mm per hour during this unstable weather, causing challenges for local residents.
Daniel Adamson of MetDesk reflected on the stratospheric conditions causing the disturbances, noting, "This will be the second and probably final disruption of the polar vortex this winter in the northern hemisphere, the first having taken place earlier last month, which was associated with a severe cold spell across much of the eastern half of the US." The anticipated stratospheric weather event is projected to impact the UK weather considerably, potentially initiating another round of cold conditions and snowy weather.
Even regions previously thought to be spared from the blizzard are not entirely safe. The east coast, initially believed to avoid snowfall, now faces unpredictable weather as reports suggest showers could surprise the inhabitants of Hull, Kent, Essex, and even London. With climates rapidly changing across the UK, forecasters urge residents to remain vigilant and prepared for the diverse weather conditions expected shortly.
Looking forward, the coming weeks suggest significant variability. The joy brought by current spring conditions is soon to be overshadowed by impending snowy realities, making it clearer than ever: winter is not finished with the UK yet.