After enduring a prolonged period of heavy rain and windy conditions, parts of Somerset are about to experience a welcome shift in weather. On Thursday, temperatures in Bath are forecast to soar to 16°C, matching those expected in the Mediterranean destination of Corfu, Greece.
The Met Office attributes this rise to a high-pressure system building over the UK, bringing a break from the soggy and blustery winter that saw rainfall levels nine percent above average. Bath’s temperature is predicted to climb steadily, reaching 16°C by Wednesday and maintaining this warmth into Thursday. Similar warm weather will extend to neighboring areas of Bristol and Gloucestershire.
This marks a hopeful start to spring conditions in the South West, with the Met Office’s short-term forecast (March 8 to 14) suggesting a predominance of dry and bright weather for the south and east of the UK, while rain-bearing systems mainly affect the northwest.
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Yet, forecasters remain cautious about the weather outlook beyond mid-March. A Met Office spokesperson outlined the possibility of a more unsettled period from March 18 to April 1, with rain and strong winds potentially returning across much of the country. There is also a chance that weather patterns will slow down, resulting in prolonged unsettled conditions in the south, even as northern regions clear up and dry out.
Northern Ireland, northern England, and Scotland are expected to enjoy sunnier weather as spring officially begins, while southern areas might see a mix of sunshine and light showers. Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk explained that Tuesday will bring fine and settled weather mainly to the north, with more variable conditions in the south, including spells of sunshine interspersed with drizzly showers. She also noted that temperatures are forecast to peak on Thursday, reaching up to 18°C in the southeast of England.
While this brief warm spell offers a taste of spring, residents should remain prepared for the possibility that the unsettled weather is not yet behind them.