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UK Heatwave: 20C Warmth Expected This Week
17 Mar
Summary
- Temperatures could reach 20C in Wales and western England.
- The Foehn effect is causing the unexpected temperature boost.
- UK temperatures will be warmer than Athens this week.
Warm weather is forecast for the UK this week, with temperatures expected to peak around 20C in Wales and western England on Wednesday. This anticipated high surpasses the current 2026 record of 18.7C.
The unexpected warmth is driven by east to south-easterly winds interacting with high pressure, a phenomenon known as the Foehn effect. Forecasters predict temperatures in the south and west could reach 18C to 19C, with a possibility of 20C.
While England anticipates sunny afternoons after cloudy starts, Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to endure overcast conditions with rain. The warmer weather is set to continue into Thursday before cooling towards the seasonal average of 14C by Friday.
Despite the daytime warmth, forecasters warn of chilly nights due to a large diurnal temperature range, with some areas experiencing air frost. The UK is expected to remain several degrees warmer than Athens throughout the week.
