The Met Office has confirmed that today marks the highest temperature of the year so far in the UK as a lesser-known weather phenomenon sweeps across the country.
According to the national weather agency, temperatures reached 20.9C in Gogerddan, Wales, surpassing the previous record of 19.2C set in London on March 5. London also experienced a high temperature of 20.2C today.
The Met Office predicts that temperatures will drop to “chilly” levels later tonight and into tomorrow morning, but most areas can expect a warm and sunny day tomorrow with temperatures reaching around 17C to 18C. The weekend is forecasted to be dry with sunny spells for many regions, although there is a chance of rain in northern Scotland on Saturday and potentially wider in the north on Sunday, with cooler temperatures expected.
The high temperatures observed today are attributed to the Foehn effect, a weather phenomenon where moist air is pushed up one side of a mountain, cools, and then descends rapidly, leading to warmer temperatures on the downward slope. In the UK, foehn events are commonly seen in the Scottish Highlands, where moist westerly winds from the Atlantic bring wet weather to the west while the east enjoys warmer and sunnier conditions.
Looking ahead, the Met Office suggests that temperatures may decrease later this month, with the possibility of snow in some areas. The forecast for March 22 to March 31 indicates more changeable and unsettled conditions as Atlantic frontal zones move across the UK, particularly active in the north. Towards the end of March, a colder interlude with northerly winds could bring snow, especially to northern regions, along with potentially strong winds. By the end of March, high pressure is expected to dominate, leading to dry weather but with some overnight fog and frost.
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