We saw 19C reached at Gravesend in Kent yesterday, which is a good 9 degrees above the average maximum temperature for March. But the early spring warmth over the last couple of days will come to an end, as a cold front moves slowly SE across the UK today and tomorrow, bringing cooler conditions and some rain for northern areas today and rain or showers for southern Britain over the weekend, while the north becomes drier.

For today, we are already seeing the change to more unsettled and cooler conditions setting in across Scotland and Northern Ireland this morning, with outbreaks of rain spreading northeast here this morning along the weather front. The weather front will move only slowly southeast through today, with outbreaks of rain reaching northern England and west Wales by this evening, followed by drier and brighter conditions across northern Scotland and northern Ireland later. For east Wales, central, southern and much of eastern England – it will be a dry day. After a grey start we should see some sunny spells develop, though some places could remain cloudy. Cooler and more breezy than yesterday generally, with a maximum temperature of 12C in London and Cardiff, 10C in Edinburgh.

Tonight, England and Wales will be generally cloud, with outbreaks of rain spreading slowly southeastwards, though southeast England and East Anglia may stay dry. Scotland and Northern Ireland will be generally dry with clear spells and turning chilly by dawn, some showers across NW Scotland though.

Then for weekend, Saturday will start off generally cloudy across England and Wales, with outbreaks of showery rain slowly clearing eastwards during the morning, followed by brighter but showery conditions from the west, some of showers heavy. Sunday looks like seeing a mixture of sunshine and showers across England and Wales, mainly dry and bright across Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Then into next week, high pressure re-establishes again from the SW, with most areas returning to dry and settled conditions through much of the week. Like this week, there could be a lot of cloud around in the morning though bright or sunny spells developing by the afternoon. The cloud will be thick enough towards the northwest for some light rain during the first half of the week.

Issued: Fri 16/03 09:25